WILMINGTON — Padua used an 11-0 run at the end of the second quarter to create space between themselves and visiting Ss. Peter and Paul, and the Pandas went on to a 53-39 victory on Dec. 14.
The Sabres, making a rare trip to New Castle County from their home in Easton, Md., fell behind as the hot-shooting Pandas opened up a 13-point lead in the first quarter. Abby Grillo was one source of consternation for Ss. Peter and Paul. The junior scored nine points in the quarter, including an early three-pointer, then later off an offensive rebound, followed by a layup on an inbounds play. Samantha Murphy cut the Padua lead to eight with a floater at the buzzer.
Morgan Quade followed that up with the first field goal of the second, and the Sabres were within six. But the Pandas dialed long distance after that. Grace Trerotola answered Quade with a three, then, after a bucket for Avery McCall, Trerotola hit from even deeper.
Trerotola kept the streak going after a Sabres miss, hitting another from deep to extend the lead to 29-16, and Emme Mulvena followed with a corner triple of her own. Trerotola came up with a steal and a hoop at the buzzer to end the 11-0 run and give Padua an 18-point advantage at the break.
The Pandas’ lead got as big as 24 points in the third quarter, but Ss. Peter and Paul kept fighting. The Sabres, who graduated six seniors from last year’s roster and feature five freshmen and three sophomores this year, got a spark from McCall, one of the sophomore. She used her length to create chances inside, scoring eight points in the third on three field goals and two free throws. The Pandas, however, added three more three-pointers to grow the lead.
McCall and Quade accounted for all of the Sabres second-half points, including a sharp-angle bank shot triple for Quade late in the third.
Grillo and Trerotola each had 15 for Padua. The team made nine three-pointers. The Pandas (3-2) will meet Polytech on Dec. 27 at the Wildwood (N.J.) Boardwalk Classic.
For the Sabres, McCall had 21, with 17 coming in the second half. Quade added 9. Ss. Peter and Paul (3-2) visits Easton on Dec. 18 at a time to be announced.
All photos by Mike Lang.
