ARMAGH — Here is a truly incredible statistic: Of the 12 games the Portage girls’ basketball team lost this season, 11 were against teams that made the PIAA state playoffs.

The Lady Mustangs’ latest — and season-ending — setback came against the United Lady Lions, a 43-24 decision in the District 6 Class 2A third-place game on Friday night at United High School.

United jumped out to a 17-0 lead after the first period, where Portage managed only four field goal attempts and committed 10 turnovers.

“We didn’t play our best. United’s very good and has played better and better during the month of February. And it wasn’t our night,” Mustangs coach Lance Hudak said.

The Lady Lions, in fact, scored their third victory this season against Portage. The Mustangs’ other losses to state playoff contenders came against Central Cambria, Bishop McCort, Everett, Penns Manor (twice), Cambria Heights (twice) and Marion Center.

Portage also scored a victory against Northern Bedford, and victories against such District 6 playoff participants as Purchase Line, River Valley and Southern Huntingdon County (twice).

“We have not lost to a team with a losing record. We beat some very good teams,” Hudak said.

Portage also clinched its 16th successive winning season, capped off by its 16th straight playoff appearance.

The Lions, irony of ironies, will visit Camp Hill in a PIAA play-in game at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The District 3 team is 11-13.

Ella Worthington hit the game’s first three 3-point field goals to put the Lions in front, 9-0, halfway through the first quarter. She led all players with 17 points while she grabbed six rebounds.

Hudak used two his timeouts just 5½ minutes into the game, by which time United led 13-0.

“We knew what to expect,” United coach Collin Moore said. “We tried some different things tonight, and they worked out in our favor.”

Liana Bagby hit a 3-point field goal 35 seconds into the second period to account for the Mustangs’ first points of the night. Kendall Bednarski added a 3-pointer that pulled Portage within 10 with 1:48 left before halftime. But Mya Lichtenfels cashed in an offensive rebound to give United a 19-7 lead.

“We went into the locker room really pumped up about that. And we felt if we could play a good third quarter we could get right back in this. But it wasn’t to be,” Hudak said.

Lilly McGinnis added 15 points for the Lions, who stretched the lead to 37-11 entering the final period. United forced 33 turnovers, 22 of which came off steals, and outrebounded Portage, 35-29.

Myher and Bednarski scored eight points apiece to lead the Mustangs.

“They’re a part of something really special here at Portage,” Hudak said. “We’re regroup and those underclassmen will get better for next year.”

PORTAGE (24): Irvin 0 0-0 0, K.Bednarski 3 1-1 8, Myher 2 2-4 8, B.Burkett 0 0-0 0, Bagby 2 0-0 5, C.Burkett 0 1-2 1, M.Burda 0 0-0 0, Krestar 0 0-0 0, Stancovich 0 0-0 0, A.Burkett 0 0-0 0, Smith 1 0-0 2, A.Burkett 0 0-0 0, Sossong 0 0-0 0, Myers 0 0-0 0, Noel 0 0-0 0, Stager 0 0-0 0, Offman 0 0-0 0, Harsh 0 0-0 0. Totals – 8 4-7 24.

UNITED (43): McGinnis 6 2-6 15, Worthington 6 2-4 17, Fiochetta 0 0-0 0, Lichtenfels 1 0-0 2, Henning 2 3-3 7, Wirick 0 0-0 0, E.Burda 1 0-0 2, Mack 0 0-0 0, Boast 0 0-0 0, Monty 0 0-0 0, Riffer 0 0-0 0, Warrington 0 0-0 0. Totals – 16 7-13 43.

SCORE BY QUARTERS:

Portage 0 7 4 13 — 24

United 17 2 18 6 — 43

3-point field goal: Portage 4 (Myher 2, Bagby, Bednarski), United 4 (Worthington 3, McGinnis).

Officials: Vicki Markiewicz, Don Moss, Patrick Hall.

Team records: Portage (13-12), United (16-9).