BUTLER TWP — It’s a role Maura McCaslin did not foresee, but one she has taken full advantage of.

The Moniteau High graduate is in her second season as the starting point guard on the University of Pittsburgh-Titusville women’s basketball team.

She scored six points in the Panthers’ 52-47 win over host Butler County Community College Friday night.

When asked about her contributions as a freshman last year, Pitt-Titusville coach Kyle Krepps grinned and said, “She probably sat out a total of 10 minutes all season.”

“I wasn’t expecting to get as much playing time as I did last season,” McCaslin said, “but I worked my way into it.”

As a senior at Moniteau in 2008-09, McCaslin averaged 14 points per game and made 26 three-pointers.

But as all players moving on to the next level must do, McCaslin had to improve her game.

“The speed of the college game was something I had to get used to, but I felt comfortable out on the floor after about four games or so last year,” she said.

Like any good point guard, McCaslin has become a security blanket for the Panthers (8-3).

“When we need to settle things down, we look to get the ball back in her hands,” Krepps said. “She has quite a bit of responsibility on her shoulders.

“She’s become a better shot, too,” he added. “She could always shoot well, but never really applied it and she used to get down on herself. She’s now a stronger player mentally.”

McCaslin believes that team chemistry will play a key role in any success the Panthers meet with this year.

“A lot of us played in the same league (KSAC) in high school and knew of each other before we got here,” she said. “We’ve really gotten to know each other. This is a very close team.”