BUTLER TWP — The outcome was close, as expected.

Butler County Community College's means of victory were rather unexpected Saturday as the Pioneers scored a 64-57 women's basketball win over CCAC South at the BCCC Field House.

The Pioneer men followed that up with a 60-37 triumph themselves.

"Since the first time we've played them, our games with South have been tight," BCCC women's coach Sean Carroll said. "It's always within six points or so.

"It's great competition when we hook up with them. You never know which way it's gonna go."

The Lady Pioneers (8-4, 1-3), headed for the best season in their four-year history, found another way to win Saturday.

Brittany Beatty, a freshman forward from Saegertown, scored a season-best 20 points, including 10 of 12 free throws.

As a team, the Pioneers sank 28 of 31 free throws, including 23 of 24 in the second half.

"We average 60 percent or so from the line, so this was nice to see," Carroll said.

So was the performance of Beatty, who entered the contest averaging 4.7 points per game.

"We've been waiting for this from her," Carroll said. "Brittany had surgery on an ACL last year and had to wear a knee brace during the first half of our season.

"That brace limited her mobility. Today she showed why she is the second-leading scorer at Saegertown."

BCCC led by as many as 12 (20-8) in the first half and had a nine-point lead early in the second half. CCAC South (6-11) rallied for a 49-44 advantage with 10 minutes remaining.

An 8-0 run — highlighted by three free throws by Seneca Valley graduate Julie Wills and a three-point play be Beatty — put the Pioneers back on top.

Two free throws by Knoch graduate Liz Burgard gave BCCC a 56-55 edge with 2:44 left and the Pioneers never trailed again. Wills sealed the win by hitting two free throws for a 62-57 lead with 19 seconds left.

BCCC won this game despite point guard Shannon Onderko fouling out with 8:36 remaining.

"We moved Liz to the point and she did a great job there," Carroll said. "And Julie hitting those free throws … She's a second-year player here and showed why she's a leader."

Karns City graduate Stephanie Devore scored 12 points for the Pioneers. Burgard had nine points and a team-leading eight rebounds.

The visiting Tigers had a 51-35 rebounding advantage. Cheronda Ransom had 15 points and 16 boards — her 11th double-double this year — while Shayne Perove had 13 points and Rebecca Maksin had 12.

South's leading scorer on the season, Ashleigh Hays, sank just two of 12 shots and scored six points. She did contribute nine rebounds.

"All I expect from these girls is effort and we got that," South coach Doug Carter said. "I can't expect anything else from a bunch of 18-year-old freshmen.

"Butler's free throws made a difference statistically, of course, but turnovers always kill us. We average 30 a game."

The Tigers had 20 turnovers Saturday to BCCC's 17.

BCCC (men) 60, CCAC South 37 —

The Pioneers (9-9, 2-4) cruised to victory behind Matt Lobaugh's 20 points and seven rebounds.

The game was even at 11 with 8:09 left in the first half before a 15-2 BCCC run gave the hosts a 26-13 lead at halftime.

"Our defense has been good during this second semester," BCCC coach Tony Grenek said. "We held Potomac State to 52 at their place, held Titusville to 61 and they're averaging 98, then gave up just 37 today.

"Our problem has been stepping up and knocking down shots."

The Pioneers connected on just 24 of 64 shots Saturday and did not get to the foul line in the second half.

South (4-12, 0-6) had an atrocious shooting day, however, connecting on just 14 of 57 shots from the floor and eight of 26 at the foul line.

BCCC held a 46-44 advantage in rebounds. Butler graduates Will Miller and Joel Rehm had seven and six boards, respectively. Rehm leads the team with seven assists per game.

The Pioneers' biggest lead was 60-33 with 2:28 left. Skyler Burke paced the Tigers with 18 points while Jacque Hosey added 11.

South had 15 of its 17 turnovers in the first half. BCCC had 11 turnovers in the game.

"Our team has faced a lot of adversity this year," Grenek said. "We lost three players to grades, we've had injuries, snow cancellations … we're still trying to hit our stride as a team.

"The good news is we have a lot of basketball to play yet and there's a strong possibility we'll have our second straight winning season. Most people thought that would never happen here again."

Women

CCAC SOUTH (57)

Amanda Ehrin 3-8 2-2 9, Shayne Perove 5-16 1-2 13, Elizabeth Cranmer 1-5 0-1 2, Rebecca Masin 4-10 4-6 12, Ashleigh Hays 2-12 2-5 6, Jessica Kearney 0-0 0-0 0, Sara Briscoe 0-0 0-0 0, Cherona Ransom 6-11 3-4 15. Totals: 21-62 12-20 57

BCCC (63)

Bethany Rodgers 3-8 0-0 9, Julie Wills 1-4 5-6 8, Shannon Onderko 0-7 0-0 0, Stephanie Devore 3-10 5-5 12, Brittany Beatty 5-8 10-12 20, Liz Burgard 2-4 4-4 9, Megan Struble 0-0 0-0 0, Heather Spangler 1-9 4-4 6. Totals: 15-50 28-31 63

Three-point goals

— .Ehrin, Perove 2; Rodgers 3, Wills, Devore, Burgard

Monday:

BCCC @ Allegheny (JV)

Men

CCAC SOUTH (37)

Tony Volk 0-8 0-0 0, Bob Grossic 1-6 0-4 2, Skyler Burke 6-25 5-6 18, Jacquay Hosey 4-9 3-7 11, Ryan Beatty 0-2 0-0 0, Charles Turner 2-3 0-7 4, Josh Survinski 1-4 0-2 2. Totals: 14-57 8-26 37

BCCC (60)

Tyler Hempfling 2-7 1-2 5, Ed Beasley 1-4 0-0 3, Mike Huth 1-2 0-0 3, Ron Piche 1-2 0-0 3, Jeremy Peterson 3-6 0-0 9, Travis Day 0-1 0-0 0, Chris Harmon 4-10 0-1 9, Matt Lobaugh 8-15 3-7 20, Will Miller 3-10 0-0 6, Joel Rehm 1-7 0-0 2. Totals: 24-64 4-9 60

Three-point goals

— .Burke; Beasley, Huth, Piche, Peterson 3, Harmon, Lobaugh

Monday:

Seton Hill (JV) @ BCCC