Bethel Park’s Westphal scores 41 in win over Tigers

By ASHLEY CHASE

MVI Sports

Bethel Park’s Olivia Westphal was too much for McKeesport to handle Saturday, scoring 41 points in a 62-46 victory.

The Duquesne commit put up 18 points in the first half, nearly all of them coming from the floor. Westphal did the bulk of her scoring from the free throw line in the second half, going 15 of 16.

McKeesport was led by Carmen Coles and Avionna Menifee, who put up 10 points apiece.

Coles hit a 3-pointer for the opening score of the game at the 5:49 mark to give the Tigers their only lead of the game.

The Black Hawks responded with an 11-0 run and didn’t look back. Westphal scored 8 points in the opening quarter and Emma Dziezgowski had 5 as Bethel Park took a 17-9 lead.

McKeesport made a move in the second quarter, closing the gap with a 7-0 run to make it 24-20. But Westphal knocked down back-to-back three-pointers in the final two minutes of the half to extend the Black Hawks’ advantage to 32-20 at the half. 

The game was filled with personal fouls — 20 in the first half and 39 in the game — which made it difficult for either team to get in any sort of rhythm.

Both teams made four field goals in the third quarter, as the majority of points were scored from the free throw line. Westphal scored 14 of Bethel Park’s 18 in the quarter, 10 coming from free throws, and the Black Hawks held a 50-33 lead.

“We just didn’t finish” said Tigers head coach Eric Smith. “We missed close to 30 layups, 17 free throws. When that happens, it makes it tough, especially against a team like that who is so tough, so talented and above all well-coached.

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