Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Melrose Holds off Lady Minutemen, 43-40
Melrose survived a ferocious Lexington comeback to defeat the Lady Minutemen 43-40 at the Middle School Gym. The victory raises Melrose's record to 8-2, and extends a three game losing streak for Lexington having recently lost to Reading and Stoneham.
Melrose has struggled with Lexington from time to time, as Lexington opts for a slow down half-court battle of 2-3 zones and perimeter offense. Melrose got off to another slow start, trailing 11-4 after a period and rebounding to take an 18-14 edge into the locker room.
Every time Melrose would threaten to break away, Lexington would take a time out, and chip away at the lead. had
Niki Devereaux and Siena Mamayek led Melrose at the half with five points apiece, and Melrose had trouble taking care of the basketball with twelve first half turnovers.
Melrose played a strong third period, outscoring the visitors 13-9 to carry an eight point lead into the final frame. Six different players scored for Melrose in the third, including a trey apiece for Niki and Nicole Meuse.
But the action picked up dramatically in the fourth, with a furious rally by Lexington leading to a 36-36 tie with 3:32 remaining, 38s at 2:23 and a late Lexington 40-39 lead. But Siena Mamayek had a pretty basket inside on a spinning move to the hoop, and Lexington had the ball down one with about 35 seconds left. Lexington couldn't get a shot to drop, and fouled Colleen Hanscom with 2.9 seconds left.
Colleen drained a pair of critical free throws to expand the edge to three points, and a desperation half court heave at the buzzer went awry as Melrose sealed the victory to remain a game out behind Reading.
Lady Raider Notes: Mamayek led the scorers with ten, while Hanscom and Devereaux each added eight points from the guard positions. Laura Irwin had a big night with fourteen rebounds and Hannah Brickley added eight boards.
Melrose shot 14-44 from the field and 6 for 10 from the line. The team struggled to take care of the ball in the first half with twelve turnovers, but reduced the number to six in the second half.
Melrose has struggled with Lexington from time to time, as Lexington opts for a slow down half-court battle of 2-3 zones and perimeter offense. Melrose got off to another slow start, trailing 11-4 after a period and rebounding to take an 18-14 edge into the locker room.
Every time Melrose would threaten to break away, Lexington would take a time out, and chip away at the lead. had
Niki Devereaux and Siena Mamayek led Melrose at the half with five points apiece, and Melrose had trouble taking care of the basketball with twelve first half turnovers.
Melrose played a strong third period, outscoring the visitors 13-9 to carry an eight point lead into the final frame. Six different players scored for Melrose in the third, including a trey apiece for Niki and Nicole Meuse.
But the action picked up dramatically in the fourth, with a furious rally by Lexington leading to a 36-36 tie with 3:32 remaining, 38s at 2:23 and a late Lexington 40-39 lead. But Siena Mamayek had a pretty basket inside on a spinning move to the hoop, and Lexington had the ball down one with about 35 seconds left. Lexington couldn't get a shot to drop, and fouled Colleen Hanscom with 2.9 seconds left.
Colleen drained a pair of critical free throws to expand the edge to three points, and a desperation half court heave at the buzzer went awry as Melrose sealed the victory to remain a game out behind Reading.
Lady Raider Notes: Mamayek led the scorers with ten, while Hanscom and Devereaux each added eight points from the guard positions. Laura Irwin had a big night with fourteen rebounds and Hannah Brickley added eight boards.
Melrose shot 14-44 from the field and 6 for 10 from the line. The team struggled to take care of the ball in the first half with twelve turnovers, but reduced the number to six in the second half.
// posted by Ron Sen, MD, FCCP @ 8:35 PM 
