NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA –It was a hard fought game as the Episcopal Academy Churchwomen basketball team hosted the Notre Dame Academy Fighting Irish in an Inter Ac League rivalry Tuesday, January 15, 2019. Despite EA coming back late in the action, Notre Dame managed to seal a 51-43 victory.
With this result, Notre Dame improved its overall record to 11-4 on the season as EA slipped to 4-12 and 2-2 in the Inter Ac League. Toughness, foul shots and steals ultimately did it as the Irish fought away with a strong perseverance.
“We were dialing down the stretch when it mattered,” said Notre Dame head coach Lauren Thomer. “They know our game. It wasn’t easy.”
EA vs. NDA Game Highlights by Dan McCarty:
EA’s offense faced difficulty during the opening quarter. Notre Dame built an 11-2 lead but freshman Bella Piselli took a 5-0 sprint of her own for the Churchwomen to conclude the stanza.
Junior Allie Lynch with seniors Mandy McGurk and Maggie Pina kept Notre Dame moving as the second quarter progressed. EA did not get discouraged and freshman Riley Cassidy and senior Olivia Dirks both scored for EA that trailed, 25-14, at halftime.
Notre Dame secured a 39-27 surplus after three quarters but the Churchwomen were determined to prove that it was far from over. Cara Harty hit two three-point field goals in the third quarter and went for two more in the fourth to make it a close one. Dirks also sank a three-point shot with 48.2 on the clock prompting the Irish to use a time out. That seemed to be just what the Irish needed at that point as Pina and McGurk combined for a 4-2 sprint to win it.
“It was anyone’s game until the end,” said McGurk. “We had to take care of the ball. We had to make foul shots. I think that was very important in the long stretch.”
As leading scorer for the Irish, McGurk poured in a total of 21 points. Pina finished with 12 points. Lynch added nine. One way that the Churchwomen were able to make it close toward the end of regulation was by shooting three-point field goals, the most that they have scored all season. Harty registered 12 points. Piselli, Cassidy and Dirks tallied nine points apiece.
“As a team, we stepped up and knocked down shots,” said Piselli. “Cara Harty got the three’s at the end.”
“I think everybody stepped up together,” said Harty.
EA travels to take on the William Penn Charter Quakers Friday, January 18th. In more league action, Notre Dame returns to the court Tuesday, January 22, at the home of Springside Chestnut Hill Academy.
“I’m feeling good,” said Lynch. “We just had a good league win. It’s important to continue to work hard. We face some adversity and some injuries.”