Pittsfield Takes Down Upset-Minded Taconic

PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The Taconic girls' basketball team has stood tall against some stiff competition lately but, unfortunately for the Braves, they fell short for the fifth time in a row on Friday night, falling to rival Pittsfield 46-34.

The Generals (6-2) got off to a slow start in the first quarter but rallied back to take a one-point lead by the start of the second. That's when Joe Racicot's squad pulled ahead, using an 11-5 run in the second to open a seven-point lead at the half. Taconic (1-7) kept the game close in the second half but couldn't avoid dropping its fourth North Division game in a row. 

"We started the game with seven misses before Courtney McLaughlin hit a 3-point basket," Racicot said. "Rachael Hunt contributed 14 second-half points with 13 boards to help carry us to a hard-fought victory over an upset-minded Taconic team." 

McLaughlin led all scorers with 18 points, nailing two threes to go along with 11 rebounds and four assists. The Braves were led by junior center Nyanna Slaughter, who scored 11 points and grabbed a game-high 14 boards. Junior guard Angela O'Neil also chipped in with nine points and four rebounds for Taconic. 

The Braves next host Lee at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, while the Generals host Lenox at 7 on the same night.