Batavia repeats winning formula vs. St. Charles E.
There's something about St. Charles East that brings out the best in the Batavia girls basketball team — especially with the game on the line.
The Bulldogs sank all 3 front ends of their 1-and-1s in the final minute Wednesday in Batavia to hold on for a 60-57 victory when Annie Martines misfired on a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Execution late in the game also keyed Batavia's 41-36 win over the Saints in their first meeting. This time, Katie Baglieri, Katie Ryan and Liza Fruendt came through at the line making 5 of 6 after the Saints had slashed a 52-42 deficit with three minutes left to 55-54.
“That was something we haven't done in awhile, probably since the last time we played them, to finish a game that was winnable in the fourth quarter,” Batavia coach Tim DeBruycker said.
“We turned a 10-point lead down to 1 real quick but you have to give them credit for that. They hit some real nice shots and we were a little careless with the ball.”
Batavia (6-14, 4-4) jumped on St. Charles East (5-13, 2-5) early. The Bulldogs made 9 of 15 shots in the first quarter to grab a 20-13 lead.
Baglieri, coming off a 15-point game Tuesday against Oswego East, continued her hot shooting with a pair of 3-pointers in the opening quarter.
“We've been waiting to do this for awhile,” Baglieri said of the 60-point game, the third highest for Batavia this season trailing only wins over Elgin (68) and Belvidere (66).
“It's great we finally stepped up. The last couple games we've had good periods and then bad times. This whole game we were doing pretty good offensively.”
The Bulldogs' only lull came with a 5-point second quarter when they hit just 2 of 15 shots. Saints sophomore Paige Jordan, who missed the first Batavia game, came alive scoring 8 of her team's final 10 points of the first half to forge a 25-25 halftime tie.
Jordan finished with a game-high 21 points.
“Paige got us back into the game,” Saints coach Lori Drumtra said. “We started pushing the ball down the floor, putting pressure on their defense, it opened things up.”
Baglieri swished a pair of jumpers to open the third quarter that gave Batavia the lead for good, though it was never entirely comfortable. Batavia led 42-39 after three quarters before opening a little cushion midway through the fourth quarter. Fruendt's 3-pointer put Batavia ahead 52-42.
Jordan's floater followed two Laney Deckrow free throws to bring the Saints within 6. Martines drove for a 3-point play to make it 52-49 with 1:47 left, but Baglieri answered with a 3-pointer to put the Bulldogs back up 6.
A 3-pointer by Amanda Hilton and Jordan's steal and layup drew the Saints within 55-54 with 1:02 left.
The Saints had two chances to take the lead. Fruendt denied the first by blocking Hilton's shot near the basket. St. Charles East then stole the ball and had another chance for the lead only to watch Baglieri steal the ball back, get fouled and make both free throws.
Ryan and Fruendt also came through at the line, which the Bulldogs needed when Saints senior Dana Asquini connected on a corner 3-pointer with 8 seconds left. That brought the Saints within 58-57 but Fruendt hit a pair with 4.6 seconds remaining and Martines didn't get a great look while having to hurry to get her 3-point attempt off at the buzzer.
“When they all stepped up and hit free throws down the stretch, that's what seals games,” DeBruycker said. “That was the difference.”
Asquini complimented Jordan's 21 with 11 points and 12 rebounds, Morgan Vyzral had 8 points and 10 boards and Hilton 7 points and 3 steals.
“We missed some easy shots. In a close game like this those are the ones that keep you up at night,” said Drumtra who was most disappointed with the Saints' start.
“It's unacceptable to give up 60 points. To me the game was the first quarter. I thought we came out lethargic and somewhat lackadaisical with a lack of intensity. I thought we played a nice game last night (beating Metea Valley), I thought that momentum would carry over. It didn't.”
Baglieri and Fruendt led the Bulldogs with 17 points each, both with three 3-pointers. Maddie Sychta added 10 points and 13 rebounds.