Amherst lady cagers hovering around .500

The Amherst Central varsity girls basketball team heads into this week's Mount St. Mary's Tournament with only one win in its last three games.

The Tigers (3-4, 2-3) beat Starpoint at home last Tuesday, 48-43, but lost big last Thursday at Pioneer, 83-32.

The Starpoint game was tied 30-30 after three quarters but Amherst outscored Starpoint, 15-6, in the third quarter by applying some backcourt pressure, said Amherst coach JoAnna Fildes.

The Lady Tigers outscored Starpoint, 18-13, in the fourth quarter.

"It was a great come-from-behind win for us," said Fildes. "We held our composure and did not turn the ball over."

Senior Jenny Newhouse had 13 points and nine blocked shots to lead Amherst. Seniors Daisy Timlin and Elana Korn chipped in eight points each, as did Eva Lankes.

Pioneer senior Joelle Connelly scored as many points as Amherst's entire team (32). Pioneer, ranked seventh in New York State Class A, led 46-10 at halftime.

"Pioneer comes at you in all different directions," said Fildes. "We never gave up throughout the game."

Elana Korn had 10 points and Jequana Roberts added eight points for the Lady Tigers.

Amherst's other recent loss was a 52-42 defeat against Maryvale on Dec. 11.

"It was a hard-fought game for both teams," said Fildes. "A few turnovers by us in the third quarter allowed Maryvale to go on a bit of a run to lead 40-32 going in to the fourth quarter."

Junior Eva Lankes and Newhouse each scored 10 points. Seniors Casey Martin and Amy Simon added nine and eight points, respectively.

Amherst lost 44-36 against Cheektowaga on Dec. 7 at home.

Amherst plays Alden at 3 p.m. on Thursday in the opening round of the Mt. St. Mary's Tournament. The winner plays Mt. St. Mary's or Lew-Port in either the consolation game at 3 p.m. or the final at 4:30 p.m. on Friday.