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Hot Shooting Propels CMH Girls Past West to Win 69-54

Crusader juniors Alison Mueller and Abby Radish combine for 42 points in the decisive home win over the visiting Wolverines.

There was no shortage of excitement in Mark Lepkowski’s voice as he described his girls’ basketball squad’s convincing home victory over conference rival  Friday night. 

 The Crusaders converted 15-of-18 free throws, hit 10 three-pointers and did not trail at any point in the second half en route to a 69-54 Classic 8 Conference win over the visiting Wolverines. 

 “This was our best game of the year,” said Lepkowski, whose squad improved to 7-10 overall and 4-7 in conference play with the victory. “We finally put together four good quarters. I’m just proud of the kids.”

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 West (10-6, 5-6) earned a 20-point home victory when the two squads met on Dec. 21. However, Friday’s game played out differently.

 “Last time we played them we got beat in transition,” said Lepkowski. “They might’ve had one breakaway lay-up (tonight). Other than that we contained their transition, and that’s how you shut them down.”

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 Memorial benefited from a pair of high-scoring performances from two of its most reliable offensive options. Junior guard Alison Muller totaled a game-high 22 points in the winning effort. Junior wing Abby Radish added 20 points.

Led by their  junior duo, the Crusaders seized control of the game due to a furious 13-0 run late in the first half. The scoring streak, which was capped by Radish’s 25-foot three-pointer as time expired in the second quarter, turned a 27-21 deficit into a 34-27 halftime advantage for Memorial.

 West coach Brian McGowan credited the Crusaders for hitting their shots from the floor and the free-throw line, but said his players’ lack of preparedness on both sides of the ball cost them dearly.

 “We had an emotional loss on Wednesday, and we had one practice to prepare for this game,” said West coach Brian McGowan, referring to his team’s 53-52 home loss to conference rival Arrowhead. “There’s no excuse for not being ready at this stage of the game, when we are fighting for a seed in our regional and fighting for a winning record in conference.”

 The Crusaders’ ability to convert all but three of their free throws allowed them to maintain their lead over the Wolverines for the entire second half. West totaled 32 attempts from the free-throw line, but made just 16 in the losing effort.

Senior guard Brittany Wright paced all Wolverine players with 14 points in the loss. Sophomore forward Michelle Farrow chipped in 12. 

 The defeat was West’s third in its past four conference games. Memorial has won two out of its past three conference contests.

“We hit our shots that we needed to hit and the kids just played with a lot of confidence,” Lepkowski said. 

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