Eagles top Vikings to break losing streak

The South Putnam Lady Eagles used a balanced offense and top-level defense to protect the Eagles’ Nest on Friday night.

South had six players score between four and 11 points and held the West Vigo Vikings to under 30 percent (12-of-44) shooting to take home a 45-34 win in a Western Indiana Conference matchup.

The Eagles held the Vikings to just seven points in the second and third quarters to build up a 33-15 lead before the Vikings got hot behind the three-point arc and cut the lead to six points late in the game.

South was able to knock down its free throws and escape with the win to improve to 9-5 on the season and 3-3 in conference play. West Vigo dropped to 1-10 for the season and 0-5 in WIC action.

“I think that (giving up the lead) is a sign of mental fatigue. We did a lot of really good things, particularly in that second and third quarter. We then got away from that and (West Vigo) was able to hit some shots,” South Putnam head coach Brian Gardner said.

The first quarter was played at a frenetic pace as both teams were able to get shots up and scored at regular clip. The teams traded baskets and were tied at 6-6 when the Eagles went on a 7-2 run.

Lyla Rissler nailed a three-pointer while a steal and layup by Chlara Pistelli started the run which Danae Cline cleaned up with a layup for a 13-8 lead. The Eagles would hold on and lead 15-12 after one quarter of action.

West Vigo opened the scoring in the second quarter as Delaney Marrs hit a free throw, but the Eagle defense clamped down and did not allow another point in the period.

The hosts needed that defense as their offense struggled, producing just six points in the quarter.

Lillian Emmerich hit free throws to start and end the quarter for the Eagles. Cline hit a pair of free tosses, while Madison Gardner hit the only field goal by either team in the period. South led 21-13 heading into the locker room.

“(Emmerich) played well. She is really good at the top of our zone. She was active and moving. That is what we need from her. She came off the bench and gave us some really good minutes with Chlara in foul trouble,” Gardner said of the junior spark.

The Eagles were able to combine their offensive skills and their defensive pressure in the third period. West Vigo hit a jumper to open the second half, but another big South run gave it a big lead.

A 12-0 Eagle run sparked by Pistelli’s six points gave the Eagles a 33-15 lead and seemingly control of the game. South would finish the quarter with a 34-19 lead behind Pistelli’s seven points in the stanza.

“We were really good defensively, especially in that second and third quarters. We were talking and communicating and being active,” Gardner said.

West Vigo got on track to start the fourth quarter. The Vikings hit three-straight shots from behind the arc, two by Hannah Stepp and one by Marrs, and cut the lead to 34-28.

Drew Gardner answered with a pair of treys of her own, the second boosting the lead back to nine points at 40-31.

Another triple by Stepp with 2:36 left to play cut the Eagle lead to six, but South hit 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch and held the Vikings scoreless for the final score of 45-34 and the victory.

“We kind of stopped communicating. I love that this team takes their academics seriously. It is finals week and they are a little tired, mentally. We can fix that,” Gardner said.

The Viking’s Stepp led all scorers with 13 points, nine in the fourth quarter. South Putnam was led by Pistelli with 11 points and Cline had 10 for the balanced Eagles.

The Eagles be off until next Wednesday, when they will take on the Cascade Cadets.

WEST VIGO (34) – Belleu 1-3 0-0 2, Ramirez 2-4 0-0 4, Elkins 2-9 0-0 4, Marrs 3-15 2-4 9, Stepp 4-9 2-2 13, Knopp 0-2 0-0 0, Stark 0-0 0-0 0, Vester 0-2 0-0 0, Strole 0-0 2-2 2. Totals 12-44 FG, 6-8 FT, 34 TP.

SOUTH PUTNAM (45) – Cline 3-5 4-4 10, D. Gardner 3-9 0-0 8, Pistelli 3-6 5-6 11, Rissler 2-10 1-2 8, M. Gardner 3-8 0-0 6, Emmerich 0-3 4-6 4, Wells 0-3 0-0 0, Holderfield 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 14-44 FG, 14-18 FT, 45 TP.

3-point shooting – WV 4-19 (Elkins 0-3, Marrs 1-5, Stepp 3-7, Knopp 0-2, Vester 0-2), SP 3-18 (Cline 0-2, D. Gardner 2-6, Pistelli 0-1, Rissler 1-6, M. Gardner 0-1, Emmerich 0-1, Wells 0-1). Rebounds – WV 34 (Belleu 1, Ramirez 4, Elkins 8, Marrs 6, Stepp 7, Knopp 1, Stark 1) SP – 30 (D. Gardner 5, Pistelli 1, Rissler 8, M. Gardner 5, Emmerich 6) FG Pct. – WV 27.3, SP 31.8. FT Pct. – WV 75.0, SP 77.8. Turnovers – WV 18, SP 13.