Greyhounds make statement, beat Avella in OT

By the Mon Valley Independent

Qitarah Hardison notched a double-double in her 11th straight game and Kendelle Weston ripped the nets for a game-high 20 points as the Greyhounds rolled into second-place Avella and came away with a thrilling 54-51 overtime win over the Eagles (11-5, 6-2).

Hardison finished with 17 points and 18 rebounds.

With the game tied 43-43 heading into overtime, Monessen came away with an 11-8 advantage in the extra frame.

“I couldn’t be any prouder of the courage and fight the girls gave me tonight,” Greyhounds head coach Janine Vertacnik said. “We were down early but we kept fighting and trusting each other.”

The Greyhounds (12-5, 6-3) trailed 25-16 at the half, scoring only eight points in each of the first two quarters before tying the game at the end of three by holding the Eagles to only five points in the third quarter.

“We pressed them a lot in the second half and forced them into rushed shots and turnovers,” Vertacnik added.

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