Division games are usually knock down, grind it out battles.

That was exactly the case for Tuesday’s Schuylkill League Division 1 battle between Panther Valley and Tamaqua.

In a game that came down to the wire, it was the Panthers who were able to take advantage of a hot night from beyond the arc - they hit eight three-pointers - and make more crucial plays down the stretch to come away with a 46-41 victory.

“We knew coming in that they liked to play a lot of man, and we also thought if they went with their bigger lineup that we could get some open looks,” said Panther Valley head coach Rob Kovac. “Fortunately for us, early in the game we were able to get hot. Hitting some shots early then opened some other stuff up for us where we were able to then spread them out and get some looks in the paint.

“The key for us, is that we’re getting better around Maddison Maynard right now. All the girls are getting better every da,y and that’s been vital to our growth.”

The hot shooting Kovac referred to came courtesy of Kaidence Krapf and Maddison Maynard, who hit two three-pointers apiece in the opening quarter to help the Panthers jump out to a 12-7 lead.

Tamaqua would battle back in the second period to tie the game at 20-20 heading into the half. The Raiders were able to get the ball into their 6-1 freshman Lauren Ligenza in the quarter, and she responded by scoring six points and getting to the foul line often.

A 7-0 run late in the third quarter would give Panther Valley a 35-27 lead, Krapf started the surge with another three before an inside bucket from Morgan Orsulak, and two made free throws by Mikayla Yurichek allowed the Panthers to open up some breathing room.

The spurt enabled the Panthers to take a 37-30 lead into the fourth quarter.

“Coming in, we knew that they like to shoot the three, and our message was we have to get out there with a high hand and contest the shot and close out,” said Tamaqua head coach Erika Davis. “I think at the half they had one two-point field goal, and the rest of their field goals were three-pointers. So give PV credit, they shot lights out.

“But I think we were also flat from the start. I just wanted to see more urgency at times from our girls. Sometimes a loss along the way can be a motivator, and you can learn from your mistakes. That’s what we want to do with this one.”

Tamaqua stole the momentum early in the fourth quarter, going on a 6-0 run behind deuces from Kolbie Robb and Lorelei Plasha, and two made foul shots from Ligenza.

But two huge makes inside from the Panthers’ Orsulak would give PV the boost it needed to close out the win.

Down the stretch, Tamaqua would continue to battle, but the Panthers kept getting key defensive stops and key rebounds. Four made free throws down the stretch by Maynard would then seal the victory.

“Maddison was great once again for us tonight, but it was also everyone else,” said Kovac. “Kadence, Mikayla, Morgan’s two huge buckets there. In addition, Caroline Breslin, and Brenna McAndrew came in tonight and did a great job for us defensively covering the corner in our 1-3-1. Add in Natalie Vermillion and freshman Lucy Kocha, who came in and handled the ball at key moments ... we’re really growing.

“It’s exciting to see how we’re going to continue to develop as the season goes on.”

LEADERS … The Panthers’ Maynard led all scorers with 20 points. Krapf added 10 and Orsulak had eight. For the Raiders, Ligenza led the way with 14 and Lorelei Plasha added 10.

DOMINATING THE GLASS … Maynard put together her usual double-double, collecting 12 boards. Orsulak added 10 rebounds, while Yurichek pulled down eight.

THE RECORDS … With the win, PV improves to 9-4 and 4-2 in league play. Tamaqua falls to 10-2 and 4-2 in the league.

TAMAQUA

Robb 2-2-4-6, S. Plasha 0-0-0-0, Ligenza 4-6-8-14, Hope 1-0-0-3, L. Plasha 5-0-0-10, Miller 2-1-2-6, Bartenope 1-0-0-2. TOTALS: 15-9-13-41

PANTHER VALLEY

Krapf 3-1-2-10, Kocha 0-0-0-0, Vermillion 0-0-0-0, Maynard 6-4-4-20, Breslin 1-1-4-4, Orsulak 4-0-3-8, Yurichek 1-2-2-4, McAndrew 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 15-8-15-46

Tamaqua 7 13 10 11 - 41

Panther Valley 12 8 17 9 - 46

Three Pointers: Tamaqua - S. Hope 1, Miller 1; Panther Valley - Maynard 4, Krapf 3, Breslin 1.