NORTH JUDSON 40, LAVILLE 32 – The battle was to stay in the hunt for the Hoosier North Athletic Conferece title.
North Judson in second place in the HNAC, while LaVille was just a half-game back. Both teams needed this game to keep pace with league leading Winamac.
The two HNAC foes battled defensively in the first quarter, before LaVille’s Lindsey Aschenbrenner swished home a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the hosts a 7-6 lead.
The Bluejays, meanwhile, would go on a 12-0 scoring run, using a half-court trapping defense, to start ehe second quarter.
North Judson would outscore LaVille 17-6 to forge ahead, 23-13 at intermission.
The lead would remain eight to 11 points for much of the second half, before the host Lancers made one last run.
A steal by LaVille’s Shelfie Zeiger and a pair of free throws by Jessica Tuttle gave LaVille a spark, cutting the deficit to 35-32 late in the fourth quarter.
North Judson would score the games final five points, including three-of-four at the free throw line to pick up the victory.
Ashenbrenner led the Lancers with 13 points and four rebounds. Mallory Vernon chipped in with six points, and Shelfie Zeiger added five points. Aryn Eash dished out five assists and collected three steals.
The Lancers are on the road Friday to lead off a girl / boy doubleheader at Knox.
The girls game begins at 6:30 pm, with the boys game to follow.
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NORTH JUDSON 40, LAVILLE 32
At Lakeville
NJSP 6 23 32 40
LaVille 7 13 23 32
NJSP – Casey Korniak 8, Macy Reimbold 0, Courtney Trusty 0, Abby Timm 0, Madeline Schumacher 14, Lauren Cox 10, Morgan Schumacher 8. Totals: 14 7-10 40.
LaVille – Haley Berger 0, Jessica Tuttle 4, Shelfie Zieger 5, Kelsey Aschenbrenner 0, Lindsey Aschenberenner 13, Mallory Vernon 6, Nina Sajdak 0, Aryn Eash 2, Julia Hall 2. Totals: 12 7-9 32.
3-point field goals: NJSP 5 (Madeline Schmucher 3,Morgan Schmuchaer, Korniak, LaVille 1 (L. Aschenbrenner).
Total fouls (fouled out): NJSP 11 (none), LaVille 14 (none).
JV score: North Judson 30, LaVille 15
