ST. MARYS — A 10-3 third-quarter run by the St. Marys proved to be the difference in a 42-25 win on Saturday evening over the visiting Ridgway Lady Elkers.
After a convincing 49-10 victory over the Johnsonburg Ramettes in the opening round, the Lady Dutch once again proved their defensive pressure is some of the best in the area this season. St Marys was able to force a total of 20 Lady Elker turnovers — a season-high for Ridgway. Ridgway had previously held all opponents this season to 30 points or less, but the Lady Dutch offense proved to be patient and persistent with a high amount of offensive rebounds to score second chance points.
The victory secures consecutive Elk County Holiday Tournament titles for St Marys.
The Lady Dutch led by a score of 7-6 after the first quarter. Five first quarter points by senior forward Allison Schlimm, including a three-pointer, proved to be the early spark that helped St. Marys take the early period after one quarter played.
The Lady Elkers’ defense in the second quarter continued to help keep the game in reach, despite not sinking a single field goal in the entire period. Ridgway connected on eight of its ten second-quarter free throw attempts which prevented St Marys from pulling ahead in the first half. The Lady Dutch outscored Ridgway 14-8 in the second quarter, and senior guards Kaylee Muccio and Lauren Eckert led the offensive attack with six and five points, respectively.
The Lady Dutch came out of the break on a 10-3 run in the third period to blow the game open by a score of 31-17. Muccio added to her game-high 14 points with seven in the third quarter on a pair of two-point baskets and a three-pointer. The Lady Dutch ball pressure was key again in the third quarter, forcing five more Lady Elker turnovers and limiting them to a single field goal.
Lady Elkers sophomore forward Julie Peterson poured in six of her team-high ten points in the fourth quarter, but the damage had been done in the second and third quarters to halt any comeback attempt. Continued ball movement and offensive rebounding allowed St. Marys to take time off the clock and shoot high percentage shots in the final period. St. Marys outscored Ridgway 10-8 in the final quarter of play to prevail over its county rivals.
All-Tournament Team selections from the matchup include seniors Allison Schlimm, Kaylee Muccio, and Lauren Eckert from St. Marys, along with Ridgway senior guard Gabbi Rohr and Lady Elkers sophomore forward Julie Peterson.
The loss drops the Lady Ekers to 5-2 on the season, while the Lady Dutch advance to 7-1. St. Marys will return to action on Friday when it squares off in a D9 League game against the visiting Bradford Lady Owls at 7:30 p.m. The Lady Elkers will return to action on Monday, Jan. 6 when they play host to Karns City.
AT ST. MARYS
Ridgway (25)
Julie Peterson 3 4-5 10, Fullem 2 2-2 6, Rohr 1 4-5 6, Steis 0 3-6 3 Totals: 6 13-18 25
St. Marys (42)
Kaylee Muccio 6 1-1 14, Eckert 3 2-3 9, Queensberry 2 3-4 7, Shaw 1 2-2 5, Schlimm 2 0-0 5 Totals: 14 8-10 42
Ridgway 6 14 17 25
St. Marys 7 21 31 42
Three-point goals: Ridgway 0, SM 5 (Muccio 1, Eckert 2, Shaw 1, Schlimm 1); Total fouls: Ridgway 13, SM 19; Fouled out: None
