Maryvale holds off Mount De Sales, 42-38
Maryvale Prep (11-8, 6-5) won a hard fought battle with B - conference rival Mount De Sales (5-6, 7-14), 42-38 in Brooklandville on Wednesday night. The win earns the Lions sole possession of 2nd place in the IAAM B – Gold Division, while Mount De Sales dropped into 4th place with two games remaining.
The Lions were led by junior forward Lauren Eckholm’s double double (15 points, 10 rebounds), along with senior guard Meghan Hildreth (10 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists). Senior guard Madison Oliver added 9 points along with 9 rebounds, including a key put back layup with 14 seconds left to give Maryvale a two possession lead.
The Sailors were led by sophomore guard Lilly Robb (9 points) and junior forward Gabby Cha (8 points).
“This was our best team effort of the season” stated Maryvale Coach Diane O’Dwyer. “They played pressure defense the whole game and we were able to make the adjustment to minimize the turnovers. We worked hard at our screening schemes in yesterday’s practice and it really paid off today.”
The Sailors took the early lead as Cha hit three jumpers and sophomore guard Sammi Gillis added a 3 pointer to build a 16-11 first quarter lead. Eckholm kept the Lions close with 6 points in the quarter.
In the second quarter Hildreth hit her first of two three’s and an immediate steal and layup to start a Maryvale 8-2 run. After a Robb jumper gave Mount De Sales back the lead at 18-16, the lions junior point guard Sam Stewart (6 points, 4 assists) hit her second 3 pointer of the game to give Maryvale back the lead at 19-18. After a Mount De Sales timeout, the teams exchanged baskets until Gunn hit her second 3 in the closing seconds to give Mount De Sales the edge at halftime 25-24.
The 3rd quarter started all Maryvale as Oliver and Hildreth hit back to back 3 pointers and Eckholm hit a jumper to build a 32-25 lead. But once again the Sailors fought back as Cha and Robb hit jumpers and sophomore guard Nicollete Jennings hit a 3 pointer to end the quarter with Maryvale up 36-34.
The fourth quarter saw both teams struggle shooting while playing great pressure defense. Mount De Sales moved into full court pressure for the entire quarter. Maryvale built its lead to 40-34 on a jumper by Oliver and two free throws by Eckholm. After a free throw by Sailor senior point guard Kara Hand, Robb hit a 3 pointer to close Mount De Sales within two with less than a minute to go.
With under 20 seconds left in the game, Hildreth broke through the full court pressure to find Eckholm alone streaking down the court. As the ball rolled off the front edge, Oliver followed with a put back layup and the final margin of victory.
Maryvale travels to first place St. Mary’s on Friday as Mount De Sales takes on undefeated John Carroll.
MDS – Hand 6, S. Gillis 7, Salas 4, Robb 9, Jennings 4, Cha 8 Totals - 38
Maryvale - M. Hildreth 10, M. Oliver 9, Eckholm 15, Stewart 6, Federico 2 Totals - 42.
Halftime Mount De Sales 25-24.
