Foul trouble and a slow start cost Ellwood City in its nonsection matchup with Aliquippa.

The Lady Wolverines (2-1) had three starters foul out by the start of the third quarter. Still, they hung around and took a short-lived 38-37 lead late in the period.

Danyia Perry led all scorers with a game-high 24 points for the Lady Quips.

“We took the lead with three minutes left in the third quarter, but by that time two of my starters were out,” Ellwood City coach Bill Gottuso said. “It went back and forth from there, and they made some shots down the stretch and we didn’t.”

Michelle Nocera paced the Lady Wolverines with 23 points and nine rebounds. Nicole Nocera, Michelle’s sister, added six points, seven assists and six steals. Allison Marshall provided 13 points for Ellwood City, which trailed 29-22 at halftime.