JACKSON TWP — Seneca Valley coach Kelly Mathews has a simple message for senior guard Kelsey Spencer.

"I've been trying to get her to take more shots," said Mathews.

Submitted as Exhibit 1: Monday's home contest against Section 3-AAAA rival North Allegheny.

Spencer dropped in a game-high 27 points, including 20 in the second half, as the Raiders girls basketball squad grabbed a 55-46 victory.

Spencer, a New York University recruit, was instrumental in a 15-2 second-half run that helped to lift Seneca Valley (5-2, 1-1) to the win.

With the game tied at 26 midway through the third quarter, Seneca Valley scored the next seven points — including four by Spencer — in a 90-second span to take a 33-26 lead with 2:53 left.

Following a basket by the Tigers' Jackie Lang, Seneca Valley used a score by Amanda Johnson, then a running shot by Spencer to beat the buzzer.

"(Spencer) certainly caught fire, and that runner at the end of the third quarter really hurt," said Tigers coach Will Saunders.

"She got hot. We were saying don't let her get it, but she was coming off the screens. They did a nice job,"he added.

When Spencer opened the fourth quarter with two more baskets, the Raiders enjoyed their biggest lead, 41-28, with 6:33 remaining in the fourth quarter.

North Allegheny (4-3, 1-1) did score the next six points, including a 3-pointer by Sarah Haas, to make it 41-34 with four minutes remaining. The Tigers did pull to within six points, the last time at 45-39 with 2:17 left, but couldn't get any closer.

"They did everything to take her out of her game," said Mathews. "Kelsey Spencer is the heart and soul of this team and a go-to player."

Spencer also was clutch down the stretch, going a perfect 8-for-8 at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter, including six in the final 1:20.

"I thought Seneca Valley did a really good job," said Saunders. "They got Spencer the ball. They were patient and we weren't patient.

"Their zone forced us to play quick. Early on, they played man, and when they switched to zone, we weren't able to pick it up."

Notes: Aly Eagle added nine points for the Raiders while Jackie Lang led the Tigers with 15, including 13 in the second half. ... The win snapped a two-game losing streak for the Raiders, a loss to Pine-Richland Thursday and a non-section loss to Mt. Lebanon Saturday.

NORTH ALLEGHENY 46Marissa Posteraro 1 0-0 3, Sarah Haas 3 0-0 8, Maria Nolan 3 2-2 8, Jackie Lang 5 5-5 15, Ginny Thistler 1 3-4 5, Kristen Beatty 2 1-4 5, Tina Kachulis 0 0-0 0, Megan Hartwig 1 0-0 2.

Totals: 16 11-15 46.

SENECAVALLEY 55Aly Eagle 4 1-5 9, Kelsey Spencer 9 8-8 27, Kelsey Spencer 9 8-8 27, Kelsey Patsilevas 2 0-0 4, Amanda Johnson 3 0-0 6, Jackie Mangola 1 4-7 6, Catherine Messmer 1 1-2 2.

Totals: 20 14-22 55.

North Allegheny 11 9 8 18—46Seneca Valley 10 13 14 18—553-point goals: Haas 2, Posteraro; Spencer

JV: North Allegheny, 24-14

Thursday: Seneca Valley at New Castle