ROSS TWP — Forget the fact that Seneca Valley had two players playing sick and another who was so ill he couldn't make the trip.

It was still tough for Raiders coach Vic Giannotta to watch the first half.

That's because his team went 3-of-19 from the floor and trailed 16-7 at intermission.

"I don't think I've ever been so frustrated watching a half of basketball as I was tonight," said Giannotta.

The second half had its own form of frustration.

The Raiders scored almost as many points in the fourth quarter (17) as they had in the first three periods combined (18), but dropped a 41-35 section showdown at North Hills.

SV's C.J. Brown, who scored 10 points, and Ryan Turner played with the flu and John Fitzpatrick did not attend the game because of an illness.

Trailing the Indians 27-18 entering the final period, the Raiders got to within 37-35 with 42 seconds left when Dante Anglin stepped to the free throw line for North Hills (15-7, 5-5).

Up to that point, Anglin had made only two of 10 free throws. But the senior nailed both attempts to make the contest a two-score game at 39-35.

The Raiders' final three possessions ended with two missed shots and a turnover, as the Indians added two late free throws.

Anglin ended the night as the game's leading scorer with 13 points, though he was just 5-of-14 from the free throw line.

"I think I had more confidence in him than he did," North Hills coach Buzz Gabos said. "After he was fouled, I shouted to him, 'Hold your follow-through and keep your eyes on the rim.'"

SV's comeback began in the third quarter when Nate Herrmann scored all 10 of his points as the Raiders pulled to within 24-18 with 2:10 left in the period.

Christian Durbin, who led SV with 11 points, scored the Raiders' first seven points in the fourth quarter.

That stretch included two free throws that cut North Hills' lead to 31-27.

"We came back because we just started hitting shots," said Giannotta. "And Christian, he played well and he played hard."

A 15-of-17 performance from the free throw line — all of it coming in the final two quarters — also aided the Raiders' 28-point second half.

North Hills held SV to 73 points in two games this season, taking the first game 40-38.

The Indians have given up at least 50 points in a section game just three times this year.

"Our offensive style affects our defense," said Gabos. "We're very deliberate on offense and we stay patient."

The Raiders (14-7, 6-5) host Shaler on Tuesday.

"Nothing is guaranteed to us," said Giannotta of making the playoffs. "We need a win."

SENECA VALLEY 35C.J. Brown 2 6-7 10, Nate Herrmann 3 2-2 10, Dan Rohm 1 0-0 3, Dustin Anewalt 0 1-2 1, Christian Durbin 2 6-6 11, Sean Gress 0 0-0 0, Ryan Turner 0 0-0 0, Matt Vogt 0 0-0 0, Evan Mitro 0 0-0 0, Joe Belechak 0 0-0 0, Tony Treser 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 8 15-17 35.

NORTH HILLS 41Cody Patton 0 9-10 9, Jeff Mittereder 4 0-0 10, Greg Sencak 0 4-6 4, Ryan Nauman 2 1-4 5, Dante Anglin 4 5-14 13, Mark Schmeider 0 0-1 0, R.J. Miller 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 10 19-35 41.

Seneca Valley 5 2 11 17—35North Hills 6 10 11 14—413-point goals: Seneca Valley 4 (Herrmann 2, Rohm, Durbin); North Hills 2 (Mittereder 2).

JV: Seneca Valley 61-39 (SV-Joe Belechak 16 points)

Tuesday: Shaler at Seneca Valley