PLYMOUTH – As is often the case with Plymouth basketball it’s the defense
that makes the offense work, and Plymouth’s Lady Pilgrims rode a big
defensive effort to a 52-34 win over NLC opponent Elkhart Memorial.

It was a sight that made Plymouth head coach Dave Duncan smile. Before the
game the coach’s scouting report told his team they had to hold the Lady
Chargers to 38 points or less.

“We have a board up in the locker room where they get stickers for
achieving certain team goals,” said Duncan. “They take a lot of pride in
really getting after it and playing that kind of defense. Everybody will
get a sticker tonight.”

With one of the state’s top players in Khadijah Moore on the other side of
the court. The Ball State recruit averaging just under 20 points a game was
held to just four points before the game’s final few minutes. Moore was
visably frustrated by the aggressive defense played on her by the Lady
Pilgrims.

“She is one of the best playes in the state, our players knew that,” said
Duncan. “They found her and they helped each other. We want our kids to
jump to the ball defensively and in the first half I thought our
communication was just fantastic.”

It didn’t start out that way.

Struggling with the Memorial (3-8) press, Plymouth turned the ball over on
four of their first five possession. Trailing 6-0 it was the heady play of
Plymouth point guard Haley Harrell that spurred a 21-0 Lady Pilgrim run
that essentially put the game out of reach.

“She (Harrell) handles all the pressure on the team,” said Duncan. “To do
that for 32 minutes, that’s quite a strain on you. She is such a heady
player and such a competitor.”

Harrell spurred the run with several key rebounds and drives to the basket
resulting in free throws that put some life in the team changing the
deficit to an insurmountable lead. She ended the night with 10 points, six
rebounds and a pair of steals and assists.

Nicole Horvath had 18 points and five rebounds. Kayden Fosler added six
rebounds.

Now 10-4 and 2-1 in the NLC the Lady Pilgrims take on unbeaten LaPorte on
Tuesday at Plymouth.

Score by Quarters
Plymouth 11    30   40    52
Elk. Mem. 6       9      23    34

Elkhart Memorial (34) – Paige Robinson 0 0-0 0, Desiray Brown 0 0-0 0,
Lanecia-Sharp Taylor 0 1-2 1, Kacey Jackson 2 3-4 7, Alexsia Miller 0 2-4
2, Hannah Dillman 1 0-0 3, Gabby Warner 0 0-0 0, Adreana Jones 4 1-2 9,
Khadijah Moore 4 1-2 11, Clea Young 0 0-0 0, Skylar Axsom 0 1-2 1, Deanna
Cornelius 0 0-0 0. Totals 12 9-16 34.

Plymouth (52) – Ashley Harrell 0 0-0 0, Elise Patrick 0 0-0 0, Hunter
Stevens 2 3-6 7, Bailey Brown 0 0-0 0, Libbie Portteus 0 0-0 0, Kaydon
Fosler 3 0-2 7, Haley Harrell 2 6-8 10, Allie Wright 1 2-2 4, Dylan Holiday
0 0-0 0, Kara Morwood 0 0-0 0, Shannon Stephenson 3 0-0 6, Kristin Riise 0
0-0 0, Nicole Horvath 7 4-4 18, Anna Bockman 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 14-23 52.

3 Pt. Fg. – Elk. Mem. 1-14 (Dillman), Plymouth 2-6 (Fosler, Harrell).
Rebounds – Elk. Mem. 21 (Moore 8), Plymouth 23 (Fosler, Harrell 6).
Assists – Elk. Mem. 1 (Jones), Plymouth 12 (Wright 5).
Steals – Elk. Mem. 8 (Moore 4), Plymouth 5 (Harrell 2).
Turnovers – Elk. Mem. 22, Plymouth 20.