STERLING – When the Newman Comets ratcheted up the defense a few notches, the Erie Cardinals had no answer. 

Newman forced 23 Erie turnovers Saturday night, turning 13 steals into 14 points in a 62-39 Three Rivers victory over the visiting Cardinals.

"When they stepped up the pressure, we got flustered and didn't execute," Erie senior Jacob Johnston said. "It was like we were playing hot potato; nobody wanted the ball, so we were throwing up quick shots or making long skip passes that they would steal and turn into layups."