Coming off a decisive win against the Rogue River Lady Chieftains to start regular season play Tuesday evening, the 1-0 Bruin girls varsity basketball team took to the hardwood against the 1-0 St. Mary’s Lady Crusaders in what will undoubtedly be an important match-up between league leaders later in the season.
Two very evenly matched teams took the floor Tuesday evening and both teams immediately attempted to gain control with end to end action as both teams looked to capitalize in the early disorder.
The Bruin girls would get the early advantage taking an early 7-4 lead midway through the first period as the Bruin girls defense settled into a 2-3 defense occasionally pressing the St. Mary’s ball-handler. This slowed the Lady Crusaders offense early, keeping them from finding any rhythm as the Bruin girls extended their lead to 14-8 to close the first period.
But the second quarter would see St. Mary’s work their way back into the game, matching the Bruin girls in the early part of the second. The Lady Crusaders would turn the table, fighting their way back to within two points with the Bruin girls taking the 21-19 lead into the half-time break.
The third period became a track meet with both teams running off of missed shots and turnovers, but the Bruin girls again capitalized early hitting for ten points in the first half of the third period as the Bruin girls defense held the Lady Crusaders to just five points. But the Lady Crusaders would close the gap to end the third period, pulling within four points with the Bruin girls holding onto a 36-32 lead after three periods.
The fourth period was much of the same, the Bruin girls outscoring the Lady Crusaders early in the period with St. Mary’s staying close midway through the period pulling within three points, 45-42 with less than a minute left in the game. But the Bruin girls would hold on to take the 45-43 win in a frantic final few seconds.
The Bruin girls will be on the road next Friday, taking on the 0-2 Lakeview Honkers at St. Mary’s high school, tipping off at 5:30pm when regular season play resumes after the holiday weekend.
