Monday, December 10

Canaan Gets First Win, Holds off Pittsburg

The Lady Eagles notched their first win on the young season with a victory over the Pittsburg Panthers by the score of 41-33. A strong first quarter put the Lady Eagles out in front, and they never looked back. The Panthers did not go quietly, mounting several runs to get back in the game, but seemed to fall just short every time.

Danielle Harris sent a message in the first quarter to the Pittsburg defense. Harris scored 11 points in the opening quarter, including the first 7 points of the game. Annick Marquis cashed in a pair of jumpers, and Harris converted a pair of fastbreak layups to put the Lady Eagles ahead 15-0. Had it not been for a late basket by Rebecca Marquis, the Panthers offense would have been shut out in the first quarter.

With a seemingly commanding double-digit lead, Coach Eric Hurlbert chose to rest Harris to start the second quarter. The Panthers opened the second quarter with a 7-0 run to cut the Canaan lead to 6. Harris reentered the game and promptly sunk another jumpshot, the only Canaan points in the quarter. Rebecca Marquis led the Panthers to a strong finish before halftime, bringing her team back to within 4 points, 17-13.

The offensive strategy on both sides was altered during the halftime break. Both sides attempted to get the ball inside in the second half. The Lady Eagles had success finding Nicole Flagg on the block, while the Panthers started utilizing Marrisa Burrill. Burrill scored 8 points in the quarter, but the Lady Eagles had the answer offensively. The aggressive play began, as the Panthers instituted a fullcourt press, forcing several turnovers. Despite struggles with ball control, the Lady Eagles were able to get hoops from Paige Marchand and a buzzer-beating layup from Flagg to end the quarter with a 5 point advantage.

After faltering late in a game versus Cabot last Friday, the Lady Eagles were not about to let another late lead slip by on their home floor. An 8-2 run began the quarter, and put this game out of reach. Pittsburg would never get within 6 points of lead for the remainder of the game, giving the Lady Eagles the hard fought victory.

Danielle Harris was the game's high scorer, netting 16 points. Nicole Flagg added 10.

Marrisa Burrill led the Panthers with 14 points, while Brooke and Jensen Judd added 6 apiece.