by In a defensive showdown between the Gilmour Academy Lancers and Avon Eagles, the Eagles came out with a come-from-behind victory thanks to guard Alaina Pagan’s 17 points. Leading the Lancers in scoring was senior guard Elaina Kline-Ruminski with 11 points.
Kline-Ruminski of the Lancers proved to be too much for the Eagles in the 1st quarter with a pair of steals that turned into fast break buckets as she finished the quarter with 9 points. The Eagles played good team basketball with no one Eagle scoring the majority of their team’s points. 15-9 Lancers at the end of 1.
Kline-Ruminski showed her skills on defense too, forcing two jump balls and coming up big on the defensive boards. While Avon kept it competitive, Gilmour was stifling on defense. With 4:15 left in the first half, Avon’s pair of bigs #23 Jayde Palmer and #22 Ava Mitchell went to work on the rim, giving the Eagles plenty of opportunities for second chance buckets. Score at the half: 21-16 Lancers.
Avon was led in scoring in the first half by sophomore guard Alaina Pagan with 7 points.
The Eagles cut the score within a point late in the 3rd thanks to Pagan’s 6 points, Gilmour struggled to score thanks to good team defense. By the end of the 3rd quarter, Avon cut the score within a point. 23-22 Lancers.
Thanks to Palmer and Pagan, the Eagles saw the first lead change of the game. Tia Shaw of the Lancers helped open up the scoring for her team too with a big corner three. But, the Eagles were able to shift the momentum taking the lead 35-28 with 3:30 left in regulation.
With only 1 minute to play Kline-Ruminski nailed a foul shot to cut the Avon lead to just 4, but it was not enough to stop the Eagle train from rolling onto victory. Final score: 37-31
O-2 is not the way to start the season for my Lancers. To blow a lead is unacceptable that’s coaching. Last year I gave him a pass since we had talent , this year he has to coach so we will see. I’m not down just discouraged. The schedule doesn’t get any easier. I know it’s early but we had this game!