The Lions led 10-9 at the end of the first eight minutes then fell behind the Canes until the 3:14 mark of the second period when the State College offense shifted into high gear.

Senior Nicole Scipione scored the first two points in a 13-point State College run highlighted by junior reserve Jessie Serafin's 3-point field goal and a circus shot from senior Suzy Carlson.

"You have two choices," State College coach Bethany Irwin said. "You can either get flustered or go after it. I think maybe their inexperience, their youth maybe had them on the flustered side."

"We were having a lot of jitters in the first quarter," Scipione said. "Once we got those under wraps we started making smart passes and hitting the cutters when they were open. That helped us."

Scipione made two more jumpers before junior Katlyn Stupar capped the run with a deuce giving the Lions a 29-18 advantage at halftime.

New Castle narrowed the margin to 11 points (37-26) late in the third quarter but junior Sarah O'Shea connected on back-to-back threes in the final minutes to bring State College back to a 43-26 advantage.

The two teams combined to score only five field goals in the fourth quarter including another three from O'Shea as most of the action centered on free throws. New Castle made five of six and State College connected on three of five.

State College enjoyed a size advantage and capitalized on it grabbing 18 defensive rebounds. The Lions also had 14 assisted baskets.

Scipione finished with 16 points while teammates Stupar and O'Shea each had 13.

Junior Maria Joseph led the Hurricanes with 14 points. Tarina Nixon, a sophomore who averages over 14 points a game, was held to eight points.

State College has three days to prepare for its next game against 22-6 North Allegheny, an 81-36 winner over Taylor Allerdice who played their first round game at Chartiers Valley High School.