Getting defensive
SLIPPERY ROCK — Averaging just 37 points per game, Slippery Rock’s girls basketball team has relied on its defense to keep it in games this season.
It certainly did Monday night and in a decisive fourth quarter, the Rockets slammed the door on visiting Grove City.
Trailing the rival Eagles 27-23 after three periods, Slippery Rock allowed just three points in the final eight minutes of a 36-30 victory, which keeps the Rockets in sole possession of first place in the Region 5 standings.
Slippery Rock also defeated Grove City Jan. 6.
“This year has been challenging and we’re a team that has to grind it out every single game,” said Rockets’ coach Amber Osborn, who now has 101 victories at Slippery Rock. “This one means a lot.”
Just prior to the start of the fourth quarter, Osborn could sense a dejected group.
“We were down by four and they were hanging their heads,” she said. “I told them that four points is nothing and they could come back from it.
“It’s basketball and things can change quickly. Our players were getting caught up with the numbers on the scoreboard, but we ended up being dialed in during the fourth quarter.”
Senior guard/forward Bronwyn McCoy led the charge. She scored a pair of baskets, while taking a charge from Grove City’s Izzie Gamble in between, to tie the game at 27.
With 5:11 remaining, Audrey Kura made two free throws that put the Rockets (9-6, 7-1) up for good.
The Eagles (10-5, 5-2), who had made half of their 10 field goal attempts in the third quarter to pull ahead, were just one of seven from the floor in the fourth period while committing five turnovers.
“We missed some shots and just didn’t seem to have a sense of urgency,” said GC coach Dennis Ranker. “We’ve had games this year where we’ve done things well offensively, except for shooting the ball. It’s getting to be late in the season and we need to hit our stride.”
Piper Como paced Grove City with eight points, including a 3-pointer that put the Eagles ahead 19-17 with 5:28 left in the third period.
“We knew who their good shooters were,” McCoy said of shutting the Eagles down late. “We just had to keep the pressure on and stay in their faces. Everything starts with our defense.”
The game was tied at 14 late in the first half when McCoy stole the ball near Grove City’s free throw line and turned it into a layup at the other end just before the halftime buzzer. Her night included a game-high 15 points.
“She’s the X-factor for us,” Osborn said of McCoy. “It’s not just her scoring, it’s taking charges, diving for loose balls ... she brings a lot of intangibles to the floor and that’s why she has received a lot of playing time since her freshman year.”
GROVE CITY 30
Piper Como 3 0-0 8, Emma Santom 3 0-0 6, Delaney Callahan 2 0-0 6, Izzie Gamble 0 4-6 4, Hannah Reiber 3 0-0 6, Karis Perample 0 0-0 0, Selah Severson 0 0-0 0. Totals: 11 4-6 30.
SLIPPERY ROCK 36
Gianna Bedel 3 0-0 7, Katie Book 1 0-0 2, Audrey Kura 0 3-4 3, Bronwyn McCoy 7 1-4 15, Ella McDermott 2 5-6 9. Totals: 13 9-14 36.
Grove City 5 9 13 3 — 30
Slippery Rock 8 8 7 13 — 36
3-point goals: Grove City 4 (Como 2, Callahan 2); Slippery Rock 1 (Bedel)
Saturday: Slippery Rock at McDowell
