By CHRIS BROOKS, sports editor, wellsvillesports.com
GAINESVILLE — The heat was on down the stretch, Friday night at Letchworth. After the host Lady Indians found their way ahead of Wellsville, the Lady Lions had to find another way to propel themselves back out in front.
With limited time left, they had to act quickly during a time where all the little things matter the most. Luckily, it was the rebounding that came through in the clutch, as Wellsville transitioned down the court off some clutch boards off the glass during the final eight minutes to help secure their lead once and for all in the end, taking the 46-38 win.
“They went ahead in the fourth quarter, but we relied on some pretty key rebounds to help us get back on our feet again,” Lady Lions coach Michelle Alvord said. “It wasn’t a pretty win by any means, but we were able to finish it off when we were given the chance. We maintained the lead in the third quarter, and although they found their way ahead momentarily, we managed to hold them off toward the end.”
A brilliant start for the Lady Lions (6-5) was excavated right away in the opening eight minute period, as the offense held its own with an early 16-8 run that would give them the lead for the majority of the game.
Although Letchworth chipped away at the deficit down towards the end of the first half, Wellsville would remain on top behind some strong defense, especially starting the second half where they would hold the hosts to their lowest frame of attack to keep the production at a standstill.
But then, it would continue spinning once more in the last eight minutes of play, as the Lady Indians found their way out towards the front of the pack with their first lead of the game. However, it was only for a brief moment, until the Lady Lions brought it all back together with some major help off the glass, collecting clutch rebounds that would eventually lead towards big points to regain the lead and build upon it until they had the room they needed to move towards eventual victory.
Wellsville was paced by another stellar outing of balanced offense, led by Natalie Adams and her game-high 13 points, pairing them with six rebounds. Makenna Dunbar eclipsed the double-double plateau to further the team’s cause, netting 12 points to go with 11 rebounds, while Sara Reitz and Emily Robbins each grabbed three more big rebounds off the glass.
The Lady Lions are now off until Tuesday night back home, as they prepare to welcome in the undefeated Canisteo-Greenwood Lady Redskins for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.
Wellsville 16 7 7 16 – 46
Letchworth 8 11 7 12 – 38
WELLSVILLE: Lindsay Stuck 0 2-2 2, Natalie Adams 6 0-0 13, Maddy Parks 3 0-1 6, Emily Robbins 1 3-6 5, Sara Reitz 3 1-1 8, Makenna Dunbar 3 6-10 12. Totals: 12-20 46.
LETCHWORTH: Charity Scott 2 0-3 4, Hana Gill 2 1-2 5, Trinity Scott 3 0-2 6, Annika Milillo 0 0-2 0, Morgan Brace 5 0-0 12, Sasha Bellamy 2 0-0 5, Alyssa Milillo 2 0-0 6. Totals: 16 1-9 38.
3-point goals: Wellsville 2 (Adams, Reitz), Letchworth 5 (Brace 2, Al. Milillo 2, Bellamy).
Total Fouls: Wellsville 8, Letchworth 19. Fouled out: None.
