After giving up 85 points in a loss to second-ranked Fenwick on Jan. 18, Benet’s players didn’t mope. The Redwings instead decided to treat that humbling experience as an incentive to improve their defense.
“We felt embarrassed giving up that many points,” Benet coach Peter Paul said.
Benet did not walk away shame-faced Saturday afternoon. The No. 14 and host Redwings rallied to upset No. 6 Trinity 50-45.
Benet (18-4) trailed the entire third quarter before opening the fourth with a 6-0 run to to go ahead 41-36. Chandra Smith scored two of her 14 points on a jump shot during that run.
Smith and Bridget Lipke were a combined 7-of-8 from the free-throw line in the final 1 minute 36 seconds to secure the victory.
The inside play of Caprice Smith, who finished with 16 points, and Ashley Owens (12 rebounds) put Trinity (18-5) ahead 29-23 at halftime. Benet’s freshman center, Kaitlin McInerney, countered with 12 of her 14 points in the second half.
“Our inside game is improving,” Paul said. “We’re more of a guard-oriented team. If our inside game improves, we’ll be a very good basketball team.”
Mike Duffin.
Naperville Central 63, West Aurora 54: The top-ranked Redhawks (21-0, 9-0) held off West Aurora in the DuPage Valley behind Candace Parker’s 18 points and Erika Carter’s 17. Central trailed 32-30 at the half but took the lead for good at 46-45 late in the third when Megan Martin hit the first of her two three-pointers. Anita Nelson’s 13 points led West (13-7, 6-3).
Sweet 16 tournament: Erin Lawless scored 19 points as No. 2 Fenwick (23-2) survived a scare from New Trier with a 61-54 victory. The No. 13 Trevians (19-4) led 38-32 after two quarters as Deirdre Naughton put in 19 of her 21 points in the first half. But a Lawless bucket with 6:33 left in the game put the Friars up for good at 48-47. . . . In earlier games, Lawless put in 20 points as Fenwick downed Lyons Township 67-38 and Naughton’s 20 points led New Trier past Washington 56-38. . . . No. 18 Buffalo Grove (19-6) won twice, beating Mother McAuley 69-44 behind Ashley Sandstead’s 18 points and topping Streamwood 35-29 behind Molly Wendell’s 12 points. . . . Erika Nelson’s 20 points led Sandburg past Maine South 59-38. Then Erin Cattell’s 13 points helped the No. 19 Eagles (18-7) defeat Stevenson 31-22.
More Top Picks Best Outside Micrometers
Marian Catholic 66, Nazareth 49: Lauren Lacey scored 17 of her 33 points in the third quarter to spark the No. 4 Spartans (19-2, 4-0) in the East Suburban Catholic. Lacey added 10 rebounds and scored all the points in Marian’s 13-2 third-quarter run that extended a 28-23 halftime lead.
York 68, Lyons Township 50: In the West Suburban Silver, Krystal Hugelier scored 33 points to go over 2,000 for her career for the No. 7 Dukes (22-1, 8-1).
Niles North 51, Regina 35: The No. 15 Vikings (19-4) upended No. 9 Regina behind Natasha Williams’ 16 points. Regina (15-8) lost its third game of the week after shooting only 15-of-52.
Glenbrook South 58, Morgan Park 46: Danielle Nabolotny and Sara Stutz scored 21 and 20 points, respectively, for the No. 11 Titans (20-2).
Warren 58, Antioch 44: The No. 16 Blue Devils (19-4, 6-1) rolled in the North Suburban Lake as Amy Peters grabbed 10 rebounds and hit 14-of-15 field goals to finish with 33 points.
Bartlett 67, St. Charles East 36: The Upstate Eight rout was also the 12th straight win for the No. 17 Hawks (20-2, 10-1) as Linsday Schrader had 21 points.
Joliet Catholic 77, St. Viator 72: Allie Quigley canned 9-of-11 three-pointers to finish with 48 points for the Angels (12-9, 3-3) in the East Suburban Catholic.
Loyola 50, Queen of Peace 24: Jenna Pascente scored 10 points for the Ramblers (14-5, 5-2) in the GCAC Red. Lauren Zuro had 14 points for the Pride (9-14, 1-6).
Resurrection 62, Deerfield 53: Kristi Cirone poured in 30 points for Resurrection (18-5).