CRANBERRY TWP — Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic finally got the run it was looking for.

Trojanettes basketball coach Molly Rottmann only hopes consistent play will soon follow.

“We have a lot of work to do,” Rottmann said following Saturday's 49-36 home win over Penn Hills in the Don Graham Classic.

The Trojanettes (9-0) stayed unbeaten on the season, but led the stubborn Indians only 33-25 after Alysa Sledge canned a lay-up with 6:34 remaining.

Penn Hills (6-5) started three freshmen Saturday and has two starters — D.J. Whittington and Tayanna Robertson — sidelined with long-term injuries.

“We played hard. We scrapped with them,” Penn Hills coach Robert Cash said. “But, ultimately, they have too much talent, a lot of girls who can score.

“We couldn't score enough to stay with them.”

After the Sledge lay-up, CWNC's Kari Karanikos drained a three-point goal that triggered a 12-0 run. Dani Short had a couple of lay-ups during the surge, Cassie Foster hit a trey and Tess Myers nailed an eight-footer.

When the smoke cleared, the Trojanettes had a 45-25 advantage with 3:57 left and the issue was decided.

“They played a zone on us and we didn't attack it enough until late,” Rottmann said. “That's why we didn't get to the foul line.”

The Trojanettes got to the line only twice the entire game. Foster hit one of two free throws in the second quarter, Karinakos both of hers in the fourth.

Still, CWNC never trailed in the game. Butler resident Kylee Lewandowski was named her team's Graham Classic MVP for the game, scoring 12 points, grabbing three steals and dishing out three assists. Short had 10 points — six in the final quarter — and had six rebounds.

The Trojanettes enjoyed a 29-18 rebounding edge, but turned the ball over 16 times.

“We forced some mistakes defensively and were able to turn them over,” Cash said. “We just couldn't convert enough of those plays into points at the other end.

“Our girls have some ability. The experience just isn't there.”

Tess Myers, a sophomore, tallied nine points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals for the Trojanettes.

“Tess does a lot of things for us offensively and defensively,” Rottmann said. “She'll continue to get better.

“We have to control the ball better than we did today. We need to take care of it because we're going to be involved in close games.

“We've got Kennedy Catholic, Bethel Park, (Bishop) Canevin all coming up on the schedule. Our level of play has to pick up,” Rottmann added.

Ariana Dunson led Penn Hills with 14 points and five rebounds. Adia Brisker added 10 points. Both players are juniors. The Indians' three freshman starters — Sledge, Jayla Golden and Delainey Carpenter — combined to score two points.

“We're just trying to find ways to stay competitive right now with a young team,” Cash said. “Our defense has to hold teams down and I was encouraged by what I saw today.”

PENN HILLS 36

Ariana Dunson 4-9 2-4 14, Alysa Sledge 1-4 0-2 2, Adia Brisker 2-9 5-9 10, Jasmyn Golden 0-1 0-0 0, Jayla Golden 1-5 0-0 2, Delainey Carpenter 1-2 0-0 2, Deshaya Chavis 0-3 0-0 0, Niyah Moore 2-2 0-0 4, Stephanie Perry 1-1 0-0 2. Totals: 12-36 7-15 36.

CW NORTH CATHOLIC 49

Ashley Robbins 1-1 0-0 2, Emma Pospisi 0-2 0-0 0, Cassie Foster 1-4 1-2 4, Amanda Bucklew 2-4 0-0 4, Kylee Lewandowski 6-11 0-0 12, Tess Myers 4-10 0-0 9, Dani Short 5-8 0-0 10, Kari Karanikos 2-3 2-2 8. Totals: 21-43 3-4 49.

Penn Hills 5 8 10 13 — 36

CWNC11 9 11 18 — 49

3-point goals: Dunson 4, Brisker; Foster, Myers, Karanikos 2

JV: CWNC 50, Seneca Valley 20 (CWNC: Belle O'Hara 20, Lucy Waskiewivz 10)

Monday: CWNC at Highlands