The Lady Bruins were on the road Wednesday, traveling to Medford to take on the 3-6 St. Mary’s Lady Crusaders.
The Lady Crusaders dropped into a 2-3 zone defensively to start the game, in an attempt to shut the inside off, and force the Lady Bruins offense to the outside. The Lady Bruins defense did not press the Lady Crusader offensive attack, instead dropping back into a 2-3 base themselves, conserving energy and applying pressure to the St. Mary’s ball handler in the back-court, holding the Lady Crusader’s to just 8 points in the period.
The defensive game-plan of the Lady Crusaders did not slow the Lady Bruin offense, as Ashlyn Schofield #44 dominated the paint for 9 points from four baskets and a free-throw, while Charlie Nolte hit from the outside for 7 points from two baskets and a 3 pointer.
With a 16-8 lead after the first period, the Lady Bruins continued to control the inside, Marissa Scott #15 hit in the paint while Ashlyn Schofield #44 drew the defense out of the key and hit a 3 pointer. Zoe Carlson added 4 points as the Lady Crusaders picked up their own offense getting two players on the scoreboard for 9 points.
Starting the third period trailing by 9 with the score 26-17, the Lady Crusaders applied a full court press to the Lady Bruin offense in an attempt to change momentum and quickly cut into the Lady Bruin lead. The press was easily handled by the Lady Bruins, opening scoring opportunities for #11, Zoe Carlson, who led all scorers in the period with 11 points that included three 3 pointers, extending the Lady Bruin lead to 39-21.
The Lady Bruins’ Zoe Carlson continued the fourth period where she had left off in the third, hitting fourth 3 pointer and scoring 5 of the Lady Bruins 11 points in the period, as the Lady Bruins extended their lead even further to a 20 point lead before the final whistle, securing the 50-30 win.
“We had some lapses defensively, especially in the first half,” coach Schofield said after the game, “But we were much more sound in the second half and that helped us pull away in the end.”
The Lady Bruins will be on the road again this Friday, making the trek to Medford to challenge the 5-12 Cascade Christian Lady Crusaders at 6:00pm.
