by A thrilling second half comeback led by Olivia Miller, Molly Milligan and Riley Koury capped off the incredible 56-52 Shoregals win. Avon Lake trailed by 22 points late in the second quarter before kicking it into high gear for the blazing comeback. In fact, in the case of Miller, she had several clutch rebounds late off Shoregals missed foul shots to keep the Titans at bay.
This was while weathering a 25 point performance from Regan Braaten and 12 point showing from Lily Jones. The Shoregal defense was on lockdown mode in the second half only allowing two Titans to score.
After a Jones three gave the Titans their first lead, a bucket by Milligan handed it right back to the Shoregals at 6-5. Within seconds, a three from Braaten put the Titans in front again at 8-6. A few moments later another three by Jones handed the Titans a 11-6 lead with a little over 2 to play in the opening quarter. Two more foul shots by Braaten increased the lead to 13-6 on their next possession. From there, Braaten stayed red hot by draining another three and handed the Titans their first double digit lead of the night at 16-6 late in the first. They would take a 18-8 lead into the second.
The Titans began the second quarter on a 11-0 run with buckets by Braaten, Arnold Lilly Jones before a Shoregals hoop from Mariela DiTullio stopped it. It wasn’t long before another Titan run highlighted by Mya Walker and Braaten’s three’s was only halted by a drive from Olivia Miller, as the Titans had now built a 34-12 lead with 3:12 to play in the first half. The Titans took a 38-22 lead into the break as a 7 point quarter by Olive Miller kept the Shoregals in it.
Five out of the first 7 points in the second half were scored by Olivia Miller and the Shoregals closed the gap to 40-32 with 5 plus to play in the third quarter. The Titans weathered the run and finished the third quarter on top 47-42 as the Shoregals outscored them 20-9 in the quarter.
A Milligan fast break tied it at 50 all with 2:15 to play in regulation. Shortly after, a Olivia Miller foul shot put them ahead for the first time since the early first quarter at 51-50. More Miller foul shots built the Shoregal lead to 34-30 before a Braaten spin move inside crept it back to 54-52 with 37.9 to play. More Miller foul shots allowed the Shoregals to hang on for the thrilling 56-52 victory.
What a great game played by both teams , we was up a lot then they came storming back. Great defense second half by AL, and the one girl for Berea couldn’t buy a bucket kept shooting but it was not her day! I was surprised that boys coach was coaching the girls was the other guy who coach AAU sick ? I heard he resigned but hadn’t got dat confirmation! O’well good luck to both teams rest of the season !