YATESVILLE – Wyoming Area could not make a shot to begin Tuesday’s Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1-2 boys basketball crossover game at Pittston Area.

The Warriors never did catch up to the Patriots in terms of shooting percentage, but they found another way to win the game.

“They got hot in the second half,” Pittston Area coach Alan Kiesinger said after Wyoming Area overcame a 17-9 deficit. “We didn’t rebound in the second half at all.

“I think they doubled us in shot attempts.”

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Pittston Area was the more accurate team. The Patriots hit 46.4 percent of their shots while the Warriors hit 29.4 percent. Pittston Area clicked at 45.5 percent from 3-point range while the Warriors were at 18.5.

It did not matter.

The Warriors fired off 51 shots to the Patriots’ 28 because of advantages in rebounds and turnovers.

Wyoming Area was able to overcome missing the game’s first 12 shots and 19 of its first 20.

The Warriors outrebounded the Patriots, 18-9, in the second half when Kyre Zielinski grabbed five of his seven rebounds.

They also forced 18 turnovers in the game while committing just five. Mikey Bonita had four steals and Zielinski three.

Wyoming Area put the “extra” shots to good use. It got 17 points off turnovers and offensive rebounds compared to just four by Pittston Area.

The slow start – Wyoming Area scored just three points in the first 12:15 – meant the Warriors were not in control until late.

Pittston Area was ahead for 23:10 of the game’s 32 minutes. The game was tied for 5:25. Wyoming Area led for the last 3:25.

By TOM ROBINSON

For Sunday Dispatch

Wyoming Area (40)

Anthony Nardell 0-4 1-2 1, Kyre Zielinski 2-5 0-0 4, Sam Greenfield 2-8 2-2 6, Anthony Saitta 5-15 2-3 15, Matt Wright 1-3 0-2 2, Mikey Bonita 4-10 0-0 9, Ryan Shuleski 1-6 0-0 3. Totals 15-51 5-9 40.

Pittston Area (33)

Chris Klein 5-7 2-3 15, Keemar Woodruff 0-3 0-0 0, Matt McGlynn 1-5 0-0 3, Mike Mazurkivich 1-2 0-0 2, Patrick Mitchell 2-2 0-2 4, Jimmy Pliska 1-2 0-0 2, Naseem Guillaume 3-7 0-1 7, Joe Cencetti 0-0 0-0 0, Trevor Tigue 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 13-28 2-6 33.

Wyoming Area`3`6`15`16`—`40

Pittston Area`9`8`7`9`—`33

3-Point Shooting – Wyoming Area 5-27 (Saitta 3-12, Bonita 1-5, Shuleski 1-5, Greenfield 0-1, Nardell 0-4), Pittston Area 5-11 (Klein 3-4, Guillaume 1-3, McGlynn 1-4). Fouled Out – Greenfield. Rebounds – Wyoming Area 31 (Zielinski 7), Pittston Area 26 (Mitchell 7). Assists – Wyoming Area 10 (Nardell 4), Pittston Area 8 (McGlynn, Mitchell, Guillaume 2). Steals – Wyoming Area 13 (Bonita 4), Pittston Area 2 (McGlynn, Mitchell). Blocked Shots – Wyoming Area 0, Pittston Area 4 (Woodruff, McGlynn, Mazurkivich, Mitchell). Team Turnovers – Wyoming Area 5, Pittston Area 18. Total Fouls – Wyoming Area 11, Pittston Area 13. Technical Fouls – None.

Points in paint – Wyoming Area 14, Pittston Area 14. Points off rebounds – Wyoming Area 13, Pittston Area 3. Fastbreak points – Wyoming Area 4, Pittston Area 4. Points off turnovers – Wyoming Area 4, Pittston Area 0. Bench points – Wyoming Area 12, Pittston Area 9.

Ties – 2. Lead Changes – 1. Wyoming Area’s biggest lead – 35-27, 1:50-4. Pittston Area’s biggest lead – 12-3, 6:35-2.

Reach the Sunday Dispatch newsroom at 570-655-1418 or by email at sd@s24530.p831.sites.pressdns.com.

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