ADAMS TWP - After Monday night's heartbreaking double-overtime loss to section foe North Catholic, Mars coach Dana Petruska was uncertain how her young would respond against Kittanning.

Considering her top priority was simply winning the game, the Planets didn't let her down.

The Mars defense surrendered just one point in the final 4½ minutes of the game as the Planets rebounded to post a 37-29 Section 1-AAA girls basketball win Thursday.

"The Monday night game was such an emotional letdown," said Petruska. "I was wondering if our kids would come into this game a bit fearful and gun-shy. You know, things that you just can't be on the basketball court."

After 16 minutes of play, the Planets certainly hadn't struck fear into the visiting Wildcats.

Mars shot just 4-of-23 from the field in the first half for 17 percent and saw 10 possessions end in a turnover.

Kittanning, however, could muster just a modest 17-12 advantage at the break.

"I was happy with the way we held Mars down in the first half," said Kittanning coach John Odrechowski. "And I obviously wish we could have scored a bit more, but we're averaging just 30-some points per game. So with 17 at halftime, we were right around our average."

The Planets began the second half with the same shooting woes, missing their first three shots from the floor.

But Julie Utz's 3-pointer at the end of the third period capped a 9-4 run in the final 3:30 of the quarter and Mars led 27-24.

The last bit of offense the Wildcats received from the floor were two field goals by Nicole Burdett early in the final quarter.

But Mars was unable to pull away, and when Burdett hit a free throw with just over two minutes to play, the Planets lead was just 32-29.

That's as close as the Wildcats got, as the Planets scored the game's final five points - a 3-pointer by Cara Hudac and two free throws by Julie Utz.

"Two of our starters were in foul trouble," Odrechowski said of sisters Jenn and Jill Emberg. "We missed some free throws and some shots from the outside.

"Overall, I think our team gave a complete effort against one of the best teams in the WPIAL," he added.

Cara Hudac led Mars (10-4, 5-1) with 12 points, including two big 3-pointers in the second half.

Utz added 10 points in the win, all in the second half.

"Sometimes you're out there watching the game and expecting all of the players to make varsity decisions, and it doesn't always happen," said Petruska. "Then you have to stop and remember that you've got a lot of sophomores on the floor. They're young and trying their best."

Lauren Lambert paced Kittanning (8-6, 2-4) with 10 points and Burdett chipped in with nine.

KITTANNING 29

Nicole Burdett 4 1-5 9, Danna Edwards 1 0-0 2, Lauren Lambert 2 6-9 10, Jill Emberg 3 0-0 6, Hillary Jackson 1 0-0 2, Shannon Atwood 0 0-0 0, Jenn Emberg 0 0-0 0. Totals: 11 7-14 29.

MARS 37

Taryn Adamski 1 1-2 3, Alina Hudac 1 0-0 2, Julie Utz 3 2-2 10, Megan Gibson 2 1-2 6, Cara Hudac 5 0-1 12, Abby Marshall 1 1-2 4, Heather Carpenter 0 0-0 0, Maggie Bulman 0 0-0 0, Haley Geyer 0 0-0 0, Karly Takach 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13 5-9 37.

3-point goals:

C. Hudac 2, Utz 2, Marshall, Gibson.

JV:

Mars 39-30 (M-Vanessa Pappas 9 points; K-Lambert 12)

Monday:

Mars @ Knoch