CLAYMONT – Abby Walheim scored 21 points to lead Villa Maria (Pa.) to a 57-39 girls basketball win over sixth-ranked Archmere on Dec. 8.
The Hurricanes started strong thanks to crashing the offensive boards. Walheim and Paige Lauder combined for eight of the Hurricanes’ first 13 points. The Auks Emma McCann would hit a long three-pointer at the buzzer to get the Auks within 13-11 at the end of the opening quarter.
The Hurricanes dominated the second quarter as Walheim scored five points, including three of four from the line. Villa Maria would outscore the Auks, 12-4, in the second to take the 25-15 halftime lead. Archmere was also in foul trouble as Madison Stewart had three fouls and Isabella Gioffre had 2.
McCann scored four quick points in the third quarter, but the Auks had no answers for Wilheim. She scored on a baseline jumper, then on a put back, and finally hit all three free throws after getting fouled on a three-point attempt. She would score nine points in the quarter to give the visitors a 42-26 lead.
The Auks could get no closer in the final stanza despite two three-pointers from Bella Angiullo. Walheim hit another triple, and the Hurricanes would hit six of seven free throws to close out the road win.
McCann led the Auks (1-1) with 14 points, while Angiullo added six. They will host First State Military Academy on Wednesday at 6:15 p.m.
