The Buckeye Valley girls basketball couldn’t overcome its shooting woes and a 14-2 run by visiting Jonathan Alder in the second half.
Lilly Hess beat the first-half buzzer with a deep three-pointer to give the Pioneers the lead for good in a 42-33 victory in MOAC-Red action Thursday night in Delaware.
“I think it was a combination of their pressure turning our speed up a little bit and a lack of execution through our offense,” BV coach Landon Fraker said. “I thought, for a little bit of time (in the second half), we made those adjustments.”
The Barons overcame an 8-2 deficit to start the game on the strength of a pair of Morgan Scowden three-pointers to give them the lead in the second quarter.
Tess Hughes scored all six of her points in the first half to help BV keep its head above water. She finished with seven rebounds to lead the team.
“She was moving well, getting up and down floor and getting into (her) spots,” Fraker said “We talked to her about getting into spots where the passer can find (her). She started getting to the elbow … getting to those sweet spots where she can hit them.”
But Alder (9-9, 4-4) rallied back with another 8-2 spurt to close the half, which included the go-ahead three-pointer by Hess.
BV (8-8, 3-5) was a frigid 14-for-50 from the field, including a 4-for-13 performance from three-point land. All four threes came from Scowden, who led the Barons with 12 points.
BV struggled to protect the ball, finishing with 28 turnovers, and made just one of its nine free throws.
“I thought Alder did a nice job of guarding (Scowden),” Fraker said. “She got hot and then we just couldn’t find her anymore.”
Her three-pointer cut the deficit to 23-22 early in the third quarter, but Alder responded with the deciding run to push the lead to as many as 13 early in the fourth.
“I don’t think we matched their intensity,” Fraker said.
Sydney Bouquin led the Pioneers with 12 points, five rebounds and five steals and Hess added 10 points. Peyton Mast also led with five pick-pockets.
Kelsey Shearer had six points and five rebounds and Alaina Radcliffe, battling through an ankle injury, finished with six points off the bench for the Barons.
Next up, BV continues league play Saturday at home against Marion Pleasant. Tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
WRESTLING
Groveport Madison 41, Big Walnut 33; Liberty 42, Olentangy 31; Orange 66, Westerville Central 15; Hayes 61, Worthington Kilbourne 12.
