DIV. II GIRLS Struthers forces Wilson's mistakes

The Wildcats forced 37 turnovers while defeating the Redmen, 74-29.
AUSTINTOWN -- Struthers High took advantage of 37 Wilson turnovers to record a 74-29 victory over the Redmen in the nightcap of the Division II girls sectional tournament doubleheader at Fitch High School Monday night.
Two freshmen and a senior led the Wildcats (6-15) in scoring. Freshman Ashley Galbrieth was 7-of-12 from the floor for a game-high 17 points, while senior Cole Rebenolt added 15 points and freshman Halle Minchin-Skook had 12.
Rebenolt also had six assists for Struthers, which advanced to play third-seeded Crestwood Thursday at 6 p.m.
"Getting out in front like this is something I am not used to," said Struthers John Grandy. "Our girls played hard and our defense created a lot of turnovers and when that happens you should win against anybody."
Statistical leaders
Struthers grabbed 32 rebounds with 5-7 senior Nicole McGuire pulling down seven and having five steals.
The Redmen (3-18) were led by Keisha Letlow and Bethany Kotapish, with 14 and 10 points, respectively. Sophomore Mellissa Mills grabbed 11 of Wilson's 25 rebounds.
Wilson coach Nekia Hilson, a Struthers graduate, said, "Struthers had good defensive pressure on us all night and once Anique Donlow was in early foul trouble we began to lose sight of what we wanted to accomplish."
Galbrieth scored two early field goals and a free throw, but Keisha Letlow and Bethany Kotapish scored two baskets each as the Redmen tied the score at 10-all with 3:50 remaining in the first quarter.
But, Struthers went on a 6-0 run to end the period and give it a lead it would not relinquish.
The Wildcats finished the second quarter with a 15-0 run to make it 40-15 at halftime. Another 15-0 run in the third quarter was fueled by several Wilson turnovers that led to a series of easy field goals.
The Redmen had 36 turnovers, with 23 of them coming in the second and third quarters combined.
Liberty 58, Niles 28
Liberty was led by Ashley White and Michelle Dykes, who combined for 32 points.
The Leopards (7-14) broke away from an 11-10 first quarter lead to outscore Niles 27-12 in the middle two quarters.
Back-to-back 3-pointers from Dykes, a 5-7 sophomore, inside the last three minutes of the second quarter opened up a 22-14 lead for Liberty in a contest that had eight lead changes in the first quarter.
An 11-4 rally to the end of the third quarter gave Liberty a 38-22 lead.
Dykes and White, a 5-6 junior who just returned to the lineup from an injury, both scored 16 points. Katrina Neskovich and Elaina Williams combined for 17 of Liberty's 25 rebounds.
"Michelle Dykes is a very good shooter and with Ashley White in the lineup they are a potent one-two punch," said Liberty coach John Hritz.
Niles (3-18) was led by Stephanie Parish's 10 points, which included a pair of 3-pointers, and 5-7 junior Kelly Leonard had six of her team's 17 rebounds.
Liberty will play second-seed Rayen (16-4) Thursday at 6 p.m.