Tolland Tops Suffield in Class M Tournament Game

It was anybody’s ball game for three and a half quarters, but the Tolland Eagles put together the decisive offensive run in the final three minutes to defeat the visiting Suffield Wildcats 58-48 in a second-round Class M state tournament contest.

The Eagles (17-5) raced out to an early lead, paced by junior forward Kristen Schatzlein’s four 3-pointers and a full-court press. Junior guard Brianna Bishop had the hot early hand for the Wildcats (16-6), scoring 8 points, but Tolland led 19-9 after one quarter.

Both teams adjusted in the second quarter. Eagle junior Jessica Olsen put the clamps on Bishop and the combination of Wildcats Stephanie Guminiak and Ashley Gleason cooled off a hot Schatslein. Brenna Lowe poured in 10 points to help get the Wildcats back in it at the half, 28-23.

“We should be up by 20,” said Tolland coach Rocco Sansone at halftime. “This game should be over. I can’t stand being out-hustled.”

The teams played evenly through the third quarter with Tolland up 5 points at the buzzer, 39-34.

With the game up for grabs, Suffield came out strong in the fourth and senior guard Jessica Flagg knocked down a 3-pointer to knot it up at 42. But from there, it was all Eagles. The points poured in as Allie Gallo hit a pair of free throws, Jenna Lovett hit a layup on a nice feed from Schatzlein, Sarah Anischik hit a three and Gallo a layup. The Eagles put the game away with a 10-point lead.

“The 21 turnovers killed us,” said Wildcats Coach Jeremiah Brown, shaking his head. “We were averaging 14 a game. I’ve got to give some credit to the Tolland defense, but we needed to protect that ball.”

Schatzlein and Lowe each scored 18 points to lead their respective teams.

Tolland plays away as they continue their tournament run, taking on the Plainfield Panthers (19-3) in quarterfinal action on Thursday, March 10.