Salem hands Canfield first loss in Metro Athletic Conference

CANFIELD -- There just may be a race in the Metro Athletic Conference girls basketball standings after all.
Canfield closed fast but Salem held on to defeat the Cardinals 42-40 Saturday.
The Quakers (12-3, 6-2 MAC) led 31-24 after three quarters but the Cardinals (10-5, 5-1) outscored Salem 16-11 over the final eight minutes.
Kelly Roelen paced the Quakers with 19 points while Natalie Davidson had 10 points and four rebounds.
Nine players saw action for Salem. Zahra Scullion pulled in nine rebounds as the Quakers controlled the boards, 24-18.
For the Cardinals, Kate Popovec scored 18 points and handled seven rebounds. Bryanne Halfhill scored 10 points.
Salem made 15 of 38 shots while Canfield shot just 17-for-52.
Howland 64, Struthers 40
HOWLAND -- Ellie Shields poured in 33 points to lead Howland High past Struthers in a MAC game.
The Tigers (13-3, 5-2), ahead 36-28 at the intermission, took command with a 16-7 spurt in the third quarter.
Melissa Airhart added 14 points and six assists. The Tigers won the battle of the boards, 39-21, as Shields pulled down 14 rebounds. Danielle Ryan had six steals.
Ashley Galbraith paced the Wildcats (8-8, 4-4) with 15 points and six rebounds. Liz Valerio finished with 10 points.
Niles 40, Poland 36
POLAND -- Nina Gabrelcik scored 13 points and Steph Parish added 11 for the Red Dragons.
Poland led, 32-24, after three quarters before Niles (6-9, 2-5) put up a 16-point final quarter to win the Metro Athletic Conference game.
Jessica Toth scored 16 points and Missy Haug had 14 for the Bulldogs (2-14, 0-8).