Despite the expectations of losing to Bedford, the Lady Hornets put together possibly their best game of the year to beat the Mules 52-43. The nightmare that was their 21 point loss to Bedford earlier in the season was easily forgotten as 13 Hornets contributed to the victory, where three players scored in double figures: Crysler with 15, 10 from both Ellis and Clark.
Head coach Jeff Waltz told the Patch about his team’s positive transformation, “We’re not the same team we were three weeks ago. We’re working harder. We’re playing like a team. We’re focusing on the basics. I think we’re going to continue to do that.”Their hard work showed from tip-off, as the Lady Hornets were able to control the glass and gain second chance opportunities that led to their 11-10 lead after the first quarter. Bedford would come no closer than this one-point deficit at the start of the second as senior forward Katie Crysler completed a three point play to start widening the gap with the Mules. Saline would then go on to score three more unanswered points, with contributions from junior Melissa Needham and senior Britten Clark, ending the half 21-16.Saline’s 10-6 second quarter run continued into the second half as Needham laid in an offensive rebound for two, and junior Caitlin Ellis completed two big layups to make the score 29-17 with 5:05 left in the third quarter.
Bedford tried to respond, but was quickly drowned out by two layups by Crysler, one from Ellis, and a fantastic three pointer by senior guard Allison Rentschler making the score 38-26 at the end of the third. The play of these players kept the Kicking Mules farther from victory in the fourth, and extended their lead to nine to win the game 52-43.
The Lady Hornets, now 5-9 (3-4 SEC Red), have certainly made a statement in the conference. After beating the second place Kicking Mules, Saline has a good chance of moving up the SEC Red standings to third place over Monroe with a win this Friday at fifth place Ann Arbor Pioneer.
GO HORNETS
