Mathews

JACKSON TWP — Seneca Valley had no answer for Olivia DiNucci.

Shaler's senior forward scored 14 of her game-high 16 points in the first half as the Titans tallied a 57-34 girls basketball victory at SV's gym Monday night.

Eight of DiNucci's points came in the first quarter and the Titans held a 14-7 edge at the end of the period.

With 7:48 left in the second period, DiNucci drained a 3-pointer, was fouled in the process and hit the free throw for an 18-7 lead.

"You could see it in our girls. When DiNucci went off, they were just so deflated," said Raiders coach Kelly Mathews. "We lack the toughness to get us over things like that."

On a team with four first-year starters, DiNucci is the glue that is holding it together.

"She had 23 points against State College (Saturday)," said Titans coach Eric Mozzetti. "She's a good team leader, doesn't force anything and stays within herself."

The Titans (4-3, 2-2) outscored Seneca Valley 20-10 in the second quarter and led 34-17 at the break.

The third period offered little hope for the Raiders, who turned the ball over eight times in the period and 13 times in the second half.

Freshman forward Alex Karika led Seneca Valley (1-6, 1-2) with eight points.

Mathews has sent several different starting lineups to the floor so far this season, but Karika has been in all of them.

"She's a good athlete," Mathews said. "We're expecting great things for her and we're hoping they come sooner than later."

Shaler outrebounded Seneca Valley 35-22.

Val McQuade added 11 points for the Titans, who made 14-of-18 free throw attempts.

SHALER 57Maria Bozzo 3 0-0 6, Olivia DiNucci 6 3-3 16, Cate Potter 0 2-2 2, Ashley Domachowsky 1 0-0 2, Val McQuade 2 6-6 11, Shannon Powell 1 0-1 2, Hilary Sauer 3 2-5 8, Haley Sauer 3 1-1 7, Holly Knaus 1 0-0 3, Lauren Hughes 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 14-18

57.

SENECA VALLEY 34Julia Vandrak 1 0-2 3, Aly Eagle 1 1-4 4, Karlei Fronzaglio 1 0-0 2, Alyssa Miller 2 0-0 5, Brianna Sieminski 1 1-1 3, Kara Moyer 1 0-0 2, Alex Karika 4 0-0 8, Dani Fitzgerald 0 1-2 1, Catherine Messmer 2 2-3 6. Totals: 13 5-12 34.

Shaler 14 20 10 13—57Seneca Valley 7 10 9 8—343-point goals: Shaler 3 (DiNucci, McQuade, Knaus); Seneca Valley 3 (Vandrak, Eagle, Miller).

JV: Shaler 41-28 (SV-Julia Vandrak, 7 points)

Monday: Seneca Valley vs. Mount Lebanon at Mount Lebanon Holiday Tournament