Ellwood City battled hard in the first half before succumbing to New Castle’s intense third-quarter pressure in a 78-40 setback in Section 2-AAA action.

The Lady Wolverines built their biggest lead of the game at 26-19 with 1:57 to go in the first half. The Lady ’Canes, who played 14 players in the opening half, closed to 28-26 at the break.

“I was hoping we would play well enough to get out and let everybody play early and enjoy themselves. Instead, again, we don’t come out with the fire we need,” New Castle coach Jason Rankin said. “At some point, they have to realize this a time-limited basis. Your career is winding down and you have to cherish every second you play. If you don’t, then basically what will happen is you will look up one day and it will be gone.

“Obviously we’re not so good that we can play half speed against Ellwood and get a lead because they were winning. They have good players and we have to play hard.”

New Castle (8-2, 17-3), ranked No. 2 in the WPIAL in Class AAA by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, forced 34 turnovers, 15 of which came in the third quarter, as it outscored Ellwood City, 29-4. LaShauna Brothers, who netted a game-high 20 points, tallied nine of them in the third quarter. She buried two of her three 3-pointers in the frame.

“She can shoot the ball from the perimeter,” Rankin said. “If you put a bigger girl on her, she’ll take it outside, especially if she gets comfortable.

“She can do a lot of things, but she has to stay focused and stay out of foul trouble. She knows how to create shots for herself and her teammates.”

Christina Talbert followed with 15 points for the Lady ’Canes, while Kaylynn Waters added 14 and JaNia McPhatter tossed in 13. McPhatter pulled down a game-high eight rebounds and Talbert added six rebounds and seven assists. Waters handed out six assists.

Michelle Nocera poured in 19 points for Ellwood City (1-9, 9-12), 15 of which came in the first half.