Physically imposing Lady Knights edge Lady Stags

January 28, 2012

Deer Park's Danielle Beltrame applies defensive pressure on East Valley's Jessica Brady during second half action on Friday.

The East Valley Lady Knights, using a physical defensive presence and some timely fourth quarter free throw shooting, downed the Deer Park Lady Stags 48-40 on Friday.
The Lady Stags (6-3 in the Great Northern League), led by as many as 11 points in the first half, only to see the Lady Knights (5-3) hold them to only a Kimmie Brazington free throw in the third quarter. East Valley’s defensive effort allowed the Lady Knights to erase a seven-point halftime deficit and take a 33-32 lead going into the final quarter.
Deer Park finally broke a 12-minute field goal drought with a basket by Tessa Heins with 5:51 remaining. A few seconds later Brazington scored on a steal to give the Lady Stags their final lead at 38-36.
Ashley Reynolds’ basket answered for East Valley to tie at the game at 38-38 and Alex Rankin followed with a pair of free throws to give the Lady Knights a 40-38 lead.
Deer Park’s Danielle Beltrame hit two free throws to tie the game a 40-40 with 2:46 remaining,
An offensive rebound basket by Alicia Christiansen gave East Valley a 42-40 lead 40 seconds later and the Lady Knights put the game away with six free throws down the stretch.
Christiansen led all scorers with 15 points. Brazington was the high scorer for the Lady Stags with 10 points.