—Submitted by Coach Todd Gudith
The Northville Mustangs returned home Tuesday night for a division game against South Lyon after suffering a tough loss on Friday to arch-rival Novi. Both teams entered the game with identical records (7-2 overall, 2-1 division). Northville's pressure was the story early, making it difficult for the Lions to move the ball up the floor. The Mustangs failed to convert on a number of early South Lyon turnovers. Northville got on track late in the 1st quarter to pull out a 12-4 lead.
In the 2nd quarter, South Lyon got warmed up in the half court as they hit three 3-pointers and six out of their 12 total baskets to get within one point at 20-19 late in the half. Northville would stage a late rally on a triple by Kendra Brenner and basket by Gabby Mencotti. Another steal in the closing seconds by Mencotti led to a made jumper by her at the buzzer to turn a 3-point lead into an 8-point lead. Northville played better defense in the 2nd half holding the Lions to just 10 points.
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This was one of those grind-them-out games. Coming off a loss to Novi, it was hard to tell how our team would respond. Our full-court pressure was good, but we weren't seeing anything show up on the scoreboard for it. We struggled a bit in the half court and gave up a few buckets in the 2nd quarter. We regrouped and made sure we didn't let South Lyon stay in the game.
Northville 8-2 overall, 3-1 division, travels to South Lyon East on Friday.
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