MILWAUKEE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE 71, RACINE LUTHERAN 58:
Despite missing their starting point guard for a second consecutive game, the Crusaders nearly pulled off an upset in their nonconference game Thursday in Milwaukee.
The Novas (13-3), currently ranked third in Division 4 in the most recent Associated Press state poll, led by four points with two minutes remaining in regulation. The Crusaders (8-8) then had two players pick up their fourth fouls and the Novas managed to pull away late.
“It was a great game,” Racine Lutheran coach Steve Shaffer said. “Those girls laid everything out there. These girls are so much fun to coach, they’re resilient.”
Junior guard Ellie Jaramillo led the Crusaders with 23 points and seven made 3-pointers. Sarah Strande added 21 points in her second game running point for the Crusaders. Strande has stepped into the role while Navaiah Bell-Tenner has been unavailable to play.
The Novas started the game with a 9-0 run, but the Crusaders rallied to lead 27-24 at the half. Already entering the game shorthanded, the situation worsened as senior guard Justyce Nelson left the game and did not return. Sophomore Madi Mendujano, the starting shooting guard on Racine Lutheran’s junior varsity team, filled in for Nelson and played the entire second half. Mendujano finished with six points.
The Novas started the second half with another 9-0 run to retake the lead for good. The 13-point final margin was the largest lead of the night for the Novas.
“We knew we couldn’t get into a running match with them,” Shaffer said. “Once we made it more of a half-court game, we held our own.”
Lalani Ellis led the Novas with 22 points.
Content Source: The Journal Times