Strong outside shooting carried the Shenango High boys basketball team to its first win of the season.

Five 3-pointers, including four in the second half, led the Wildcats to a 46-36 nonconference decision in their home opener against Ellwood City Lincoln.

“We got some big shots from sophomores late in the game,” Shenango coach Bob McQuiston said. “Brenton Booher hit one for us in the third quarter and then Ryan Smith hit one from the corner.”

Sophomore James Micco scored 11 points to lead the Wildcats, including nine points in the second half. Booher and James Jacobs were next with eight points each.

“After losing our first two games at the Neshannock tournament, we really needed this game,” McQuiston said. “A lot of our young guys were hungry for a win. I thought the defensive intensity was great.”

Shenango (1-2) limited the Wolverines (2-2) to 17 points in the first half.

“I thought they did a good job on the boards tonight,” McQuiston said. “I can’t remember Ellwood getting a second shot. That’s one of the things we wanted to do.”

Ellwood has dropped its last two decisions after winning its own tipoff tournament last weekend.

“Two nights in a row we’ve defended very well,” Wolverines coach Anthony Ovial said. “I thought we had a great performance on the boards. Against Mohawk last game, we had a hard time finishing out possessions with rebounds.”

Mario Greco paced Ellwood with 13 points. Nick Aloi was next with 10 points.

“We just didn’t shoot the ball very well as a team,” Ovial said. “I can’t say anything bad about what our guys are doing. They’ve put forth two really good games defensively. We’re just going to continue to work really hard. These guys are laying it on the line. That’s what we’re asking of them. That’s what we’re demanding of them. They’re giving it to us.”