Monday, February 02, 2009
Reading Tops Melrose 45-39 to Go in Driver's Seat for ML Title
The Reading Rockets, featuring an all-senior starting five, took an early lead and never relinquished it en route to a 45-39 victory at Melrose. Reading now holds a one-game Middlesex League moving down the stretch.
Reading got off to an 11-10 first period and 27-23 halftime lead. Eight Jaclyn Lyons points got Reading out fast, although Hannah Brickley countered with twelve first half points including a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer.
Reading played stingy defense throughout, yet held Melrose to only five free throws. Alison Staiger's ten first half points, including a pair of threes was the key to Reading's first half output.
The second half began with Reading extending the lead, which never got to double figures, and Melrose could only manage five points in the third period, as Reading took a 34-28 lead down the stretch.
Melrose closed to within four at 38-34 in the fourth stanza, but Reading continually made big plays including a couple down the stretch by Maria Pandolfo.
Colleen Hanscom (11 points) and Niki Devereaux held down the Rockets' high scoring duo of Lyons (15) and Cat Carey, who combined for only 23 points, but Reading contained Melrose's inside game, and Melrose only could put four players in the scoring column, led by Hannah (16), Colleen, and Siena Mamayek with eight points.
The key statistics for the game were Reading holding Melrose to sixteen second half points, and the assist-turnover ratio for Melrose of four to seventeen, as Reading jammed the paint and forced Melrose into errors when they tried to get entry passes inside.
Melrose was 15-44 from the field, 4-5 from the line, and was led in the rebounding category by Laura Irwin with seven and Siena Mamayek with six.
The Lady Raiders will look to rebound Wednesday, traveling to Stoneham, which defeated Reading earlier in the season.
Reading got off to an 11-10 first period and 27-23 halftime lead. Eight Jaclyn Lyons points got Reading out fast, although Hannah Brickley countered with twelve first half points including a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer.
Reading played stingy defense throughout, yet held Melrose to only five free throws. Alison Staiger's ten first half points, including a pair of threes was the key to Reading's first half output.
The second half began with Reading extending the lead, which never got to double figures, and Melrose could only manage five points in the third period, as Reading took a 34-28 lead down the stretch.
Melrose closed to within four at 38-34 in the fourth stanza, but Reading continually made big plays including a couple down the stretch by Maria Pandolfo.
Colleen Hanscom (11 points) and Niki Devereaux held down the Rockets' high scoring duo of Lyons (15) and Cat Carey, who combined for only 23 points, but Reading contained Melrose's inside game, and Melrose only could put four players in the scoring column, led by Hannah (16), Colleen, and Siena Mamayek with eight points.
The key statistics for the game were Reading holding Melrose to sixteen second half points, and the assist-turnover ratio for Melrose of four to seventeen, as Reading jammed the paint and forced Melrose into errors when they tried to get entry passes inside.
Melrose was 15-44 from the field, 4-5 from the line, and was led in the rebounding category by Laura Irwin with seven and Siena Mamayek with six.
The Lady Raiders will look to rebound Wednesday, traveling to Stoneham, which defeated Reading earlier in the season.
// posted by Ron Sen, MD, FCCP @ 9:15 PM 
