By Kayleen Cubbal
New Castle News

Shooting helped carry the Neshannock High boys basketball team to 11 wins in its first 13 games this season.

Last night, though, getting the ball into the hoop became a major struggle for the Lancers.

Neshannock shot just 29 percent for the game, including 11 percent from 3-point range, in a 53-49 WPIAL Section 2-AA homecourt upset at the hands of Riverside.

The loss by the Lancers (5-3 section, 11-3 overall) creates a logjam in the Section 2 standings behind Beaver Falls (8-0, 12-3), of which Riverside (4-4, 8-7) now becomes a part.

Neshannock took an early advantage, leading 13-6 after the first quarter, but the teams spent most of the rest of the night trading leads and ties, including a 25-25 deadlock at the half.

“We played very well in the first quarter, we were happy to hold them to six points, especially since we haven’t been starting games very well,” Lancers coach John Corey said. “They beat us in the second quarter and from there on out, it was a struggle for us.”

The struggle revolved around Neshannock’s shooting, which was subpar throughout the game.

“We pride ourselves in being able to shoot the ball, but it definitely let us down tonight,” Corey said. “The shots just weren’t falling.

“We had some good looks that just didn’t go in.”

The Lancers had a chance to win the game late, but couldn’t pull the trigger.

Riverside was leading 51-49 when Neshannock’s Ernie Burkes missed a 3-pointer, but three consecutive offensive rebounds kept the Lancers alive.

“We had three chances off offensive rebounds, but couldn’t tip the ball in,” Corey said. “There was a lot of contact, but nothing was called.”

Eventually, the Panthers rebounded and Gig Jewell made a layup with 5 seconds left to put the game on ice.

Burkes paced the Lancers with 21 points and Jim Medure added 11.

Jewell scored 17 for Riverside, followed by Dom Vetica with 11.

(Email: kcubbal@ncnewsonline.com)