Hot Shooting Leads Lincoln-Sudbury Girls Basketball Team to Season-Opening Victory

Three late 3-pointers by junior Shannon Connelly and hot team shooting throughout the game proved key for the Warriors in their season opener and home opener on Tuesday night.

Scoring 29 points outside the paint, the Warriors pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat Weston, 51-40.

"I think we had a moment out of the break where we all were thought 'alright, lets do this,'" said Connelly. "We pushed the ball. All our confidence went up at the same time and we were able to put it away."

With two minutes left in the third quarter, the Warriors had a slim 30-28 lead. Two points from senior Alex Quadri and a late 3-pointer from the corner from Connelly sent L-S into the fourth quarter up seven points.

"I thought the group in there was doing well and pushing the ball," said L-S coach Liza Feldman. "Shannon got hot and that was key for us."

Despite an early 3 by Connelly, Weston senior Allyson Pemberton and sophomore Saliah Serrette responded by combing for seven points to bring the game within three. A third 3-pointer from Connelly at 5:43 in the fourth quarter began a nine-point run to put the game out of reach.

"Usually everyone starts playing better once one person gets going," said Connelly. "One thing happens it leads to another."

The Warriors combined for seven 3-pointers, five of which came from Connelly and senior Lindsey Jones. Jones scored 12 points, all in the first half, while Connelly scored 11.

"A lot of times it is when the ball gets in the paint that it creates opportunities for you to score outside the paint," said Feldman. "Lindsey does not just go to the post. She takes what the defense gives her and that makes her hard to guard."

While the teams remained close for the first half, the Warriors controlled the lead by going into half up 27-24. After maintaining a lead for the first three minutes, the Wildcats only led once the rest of the game.

It was not until the final three minutes of the third quarter that the Warriors pulled away.

"It was tough game physically," said Feldman.

"We came out aggressive and confident," said Weston coach Linda Martindale.

Weston shot 52 percent on 25 attempts from the foul line, while L-S shot 62.5 percent on 16 attempts. L-S had seven steals in the first quarter, but also had five turnovers.

"Definitely, we have to go back to the fundamentals," said Feldman. "In particular I would say passing."

The Wildcats were lead by Pemberton, who scored 11 points, and Serrette, who had 13 points and four blocked shots. Both players created pressure underneath by scoring all but one of their baskets off layups or forced low-post fouls.

"Allyson is very aggressive and forces the other team to back off defensively," said Martindale. "Saliah is very tall and has great hops so she forces kids to ball fake."

The Warriors next face Westborough at home on Thursday. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m.