AMBRIDGE — Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic's goal was a simple one.

Survive.

The Trojans faced Cornell Thursday night at Ambridge High School with the WPIAL's fifth and final berth into the PIAA Class A boys basketball playoffs on the line.

Kenny Fukon scored all 13 of his points in the first half and the Trojans' defense held Cornell to just 11 points over the final two quarters as North Catholic moved on with a 44-31 victory.

“There were two very good defensive teams out there tonight,” said Trojans' coach Dave Long. “We didn't want to end up like dead artists, who are appreciated only after they are gone. Overall, I thought we played with the intensity needed to move on to the state playoffs.”

Cornell trailed 32-20 at the break and fired blanks for most of the second half. The Raiders managed to make just 20 percent (4-of-20) of their field goal attempts in the third and fourth quarters.

They missed a golden opportunity in the third quarter when the Trojans mustered just four points, but the Raiders (14-11) scored just four themselves.

“I can't say that's typical for us,” said Cornell coach Bill Sacco. “It wasn't anything they (Trojans) did defensively. It was like there was a lid on the basket. I've been coaching for 45 years and I've seen a lot. It was just one of those things.”

Fukon, a 6-foot-1 sophomore guard/forward, tallied nine points in the first quarter.

“He's only been starting for three or four games now,” Long said. “He brings a nice blend of length and athleticism to the court. He earned playing time because of his defense, but has shown good things on the offensive end.”

Cornell senior guard Dane Jackson led all scorers with 17 points, but his teammates combined to score just 14.

For North Catholic's six seniors, including guard Timon Gribbin, winning this game brought a sigh of relief. A loss would have ended their scholastic basketball careers.

“I definitely didn't want to lose this one,” said Gribbin, who scored eight points. “I think we're still a bit down about the Jeannette loss (in the WPIAL quarterfinals Feb. 20), but we are starting to pick it up.”

The Trojans (16-9) will face the District 9 champion — either Cameron County or Clarion-Limestone — in the first round of the state playoffs next Friday.

“Whoever wins that district will obviously be a good team,” added Gribbin. “We have to come prepared.”

CORNELL 31

Dane Jackson 6 3-3 17, Blake Lipke 2 0-0 4, Devin Hines 3 1-2 7, John Yaworski 1 0-0 3, Marcus Jenkins 0 0-2 0, Na-Dhama Luster 0 0-0 0, Shawn Puskar 0 0-0 0, Ryan Dinell 0 0-0 0, Zacchaeus Humphrey 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 4-7 31.

C.W. NORTH CATHOLIC 44

Tom Braun 1 0-1 3, Tristan Newcamp 3 1-2 7, Timon Gribbin 3 0-0 8, Jake Matschner 2 0-0 5, Vince LeGrande 3 2-4 8, Kenny Fukon 6 1-2 13, Robert Schad 0 0-1 0, Ray Stroud 0 0-0 0, Isaiah Harvin 0 0-0 0, Chris Goetz 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 4-10 44.

Cornell 13 7 4 7 — 31

CWNC18 14 4 8 — 44

3-point goals: Cornell 3 (Jackson 2, Yaworski); CWNC 4 (Gribbin 2, Matschner, Braun).

Friday: Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic vs. Cameron County/Clarion-Limestone, PIAA Class A first-round playoff, TBD