Pittsfield Girls Fall to Northampton in Opener

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Northampton’s Emma Tanner Thursday spoiled the home opener for Pittsfield’s girls basketball team as the Blue Devils earned a 52-34 win.

 

Tanner led Northampton with 15 points, Including 11 in the third quarter. 

 

Pittsfield (0-1) took the early 2-0 lead and never saw another lead again. Northampton followed the first points of the game by Pittsfield with a 6-0 run themselves.

 

It was a fast-paced game with both teams playing full court pressure. Northampton got the better of Pittsfield, forcing turnovers in the open court and turning them into quick baskets. Northampton’s patience in its half-court game led to good ball movement and high percentage shots, giving it the 15-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.

 

Things were a bit more even in the second quarter, with both teams struggling to score. Pittsfield settled down more on the defensive end but couldn’t seem to get things going offensively. The Generals had some good looks at the rim but just couldn’t find ways to convert. Although it started the quarter on a 5-0 run, Pittsfield couldn’t find a way to get back in the game as it faced a 10-point deficit at the break. 

 

For Pittsfield, Alexis Garvey led all scorers with 16 points, and Bella Aitken pitched in with eight. 

 

All of Aitken’s points came in the second half as she struggled to find a rhythm in the first. Coming out of the half-time break, Northampton really turned up the pressure and started to knock down some open jumpers. It outscored the Generals 22-11 in the quarter, ending any chance of a comeback. Pittsfield did not not give up and closed the gap a little bit, but it was too little too late as they would go down in their opening game of the season. 

 

Pittsfield will look to bounce back next Wednesday in Bennington, Vt., at Mount Anthony.