JACKSON TWP — It was the type of Section 3 slugfest the Seneca Valley boys basketball team has become accustomed to playing.

Tuesday night, the Raiders outlasted visiting Pine-Richland 55-48 thanks to a 10-3 run in the final two and a half minutes of the fourth quarter.

The game included a combined 43 personal fouls and 56 free-throw attempts.

The Raiders' ability to survive pushes the team's record to 7-3 overall and 3-2 in section play.

“To win a section game like this, it's a big boost to the team's confidence,” said SV coach Victor Giannotta. “It was a total team effort.”

The game was knotted at 45 with 2:30 left when the Rams began to commit costly turnovers.

Two free throws by Easton Bazzoli gave Seneca a two-point edge, followed by a steal and bucket from R.J. McCauley and two more free throws from point guard Matt Darby for a 51-45 lead with 53 seconds left.

Needing a spark, the Rams received it from senior guard Pat Sullivan, who made it a one-possession game by draining a 3-pointer with 41 seconds remaining.

Unfortunately for Pine-Richland (7-5, 0-5), the three points were the final ones scored by the Rams. McCauley and Darby iced the game with late free throws.

“It was disappointing that we left (Sullivan) wide open for that 3,” Giannotta said, “but we were able to get key defensive rebounds and hit free throws down the stretch.”

In the fourth quarter, the Rams were just 2-of-8 from the free throw line, turned the ball over seven times and missed all four of their 2-point field-goal attempts.

“We missed a lot of easy baskets tonight,” said Rams coach Brian Gaetano. “Seneca Valley likes to press and we talked about creating easy opportunities at the end of their pressure. I thought we did that, but just weren't able to finish. It wasn't for lack of effort. Nobody feels worse about it than the kids.”

The Rams led 26-22 at halftime and 32-25 with 4:20 left in the third quarter. But, led by Bazzoli, the Raiders closed the period on a 13-5 run to take a one-point lead into the final frame.

Bazzoli led all scorers with 20 points and McCauley added 10 for the Raiders.

“I wouldn't say that we're doing anything extremely well right now,” said Giannotta. “There's room for improvement, but we're right in the playoff chase.”

No Rams player reached double figures in points. Five players scored at least six, led by eight points from Brock Baranowski and Collin Jackson.

“I thought we defended better tonight than we did the last few games,” said Gaetano. “And we rebounded better (30-23 edge). Those are the positives, but to win a game in this section, you have to be focused for 32 minutes. Seneca Valley just made more plays down the stretch tonight.”

PINE-RICHLAND 48

Brock Baranowski 2 3-4 8, Shea Sullivan 2 0-2 5, Dean Steliotes 0 5-6 5, Tim Williams 2 3-4 7, Sam Dunsmore 1 0-3 2, Pat Sullivan 2 1-2 7, Collin Jackson 2 4-6 8, Ben DiNucci 2 0-0 6, Nate Roberts 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13 16-27 48.

SENECA VALLEY 55

Matt Darby 1 6-7 8, Easton Bazzoli 7 5-8 20, T.J. Holl 2 2-4 6, R.J. McCauley 2 6-6 10, Bryce Schnatterly 1 0-0 2, Alex Snyder 1 0-2 2, Taylor Mantick 3 1-2 7, Eric Woods 0 0-0 0, Dakota Topf 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17 20-29 55.

Pine-Richland 6 20 11 11—48

Seneca Valley8 14 16 17—55

3-point goals: Pine-Richland 6 (P. Sullivan 2, DiNucci 2, Baranowski, S. Sullivan); Seneca Valley 1 (Bazzoli)

Friday: Seneca Valley at Hampton