Poland stifles Niles with 34-21 victory

Ursuline and Salem enjoyed easy victories.
NILES -- The Poland High girls basketball team turned in a strong defensive performance to upend Niles 34-21 Saturday in their Metro Athletic Conference opener.
The Red Dragons weren't able to solve the Bulldogs' defense with only three of their players getting into the scoring column.
In the low-scoring contest, Poland took a 10-5 lead in the first quarter and held a 16-8 margin at intermission.
After the schools each tallied nine points in the third period, Poland put the game away with a 9-3 spurt in the final quarter.
Taryn Carlson sparked Poland (4-1, 1-0) with 13 points. Kristy Gaudiose chipped in with 11.
Stacia Ray paced Niles (2-4, 0-1) with 13 points.
Ursuline 65, Chaney 45: YOUNGSTOWN -- Ursuline jumped out to a 21-7 first-quarter lead.
Sophomore Courtney Davidson scored 26 of her 31 points in the second and third quarters .
Mahogani Graves added 12 points for the Irish (4-1), and Christina Cook and Amber Miller each grabbed eight rebounds.
Joselyn Parker led Chaney (2-4) with 19 points and Sumya McElroy added 11. Donelle Eldridge grabbed 14 rebounds.
Salem 60, Struthers 24: SALEM -- In winning its MAC opener, the Quakers' defense limited Struthers to four points in the first quarter, five in the third and five in the fourth.
The margin of victory was Salem's largest since it defeated Wilson 75-27 in the 2000 sectional semifinals.
It was Salem's 11th straight victory over the Wildcats, and the Quakers (6-2) lead the series 25-20.
Alyson Cotter paced Salem with 18 points. Tiffanie Heestand chipped in with 14.
Sarah Sepesy led the Wildcats (1-5, 0-1) with 11 points.