Tigers Nip Northridge
WARSAW – What a difference a few weeks makes.
The Warsaw girls basketball team continued to prove that point Saturday night.
The host Tigers continued their recent resurgence by edging past Northridge 30-28 for a key Northern Lakes Conference victory.
Defense and fine free throw shooting in the final frame carried Warsaw to the league win.
Freshman Page Desenberg came up with several key defensive plays late for the Tigers. Warsaw also hit 8-11 free throws in the fourth quarter for all eight of their points in the final stanza.
The Tigers won for the fourth straight time to improve to 6-7 overall and 1-2 in the NLC. Warsaw has not lost since dropping a 39-35 NLC decision at Wawasee Dec. 21.
The senior members of coach Michelle Harter’s team continued to lead the turnaround. Senior guard Eryn Leek led the way with nine points in the win. Senior Brooklyn Harrison netted eight points for the Tigers.
Senior Nikki Grose, who earned tourney MVP honors Dec. 30 as Warsaw began its win streak by winning two games to claim its own tourney title, had a fine all-around game. The 6-0 center had six points, but also had nine rebounds, four assists, two blocked shots and a pair of steals.
Warsaw won despite making just 1-6 shots from the field in the second half. The hosts finished 10-23 from the field after going 7-7 to start the game. Warsaw was 8-16 from the line and had 15 turnovers.
The Tigers bolted to a 13-4 lead to open the game. Warsaw led 15-9 after the opening period and 19-17 at halftime. The Tigers were ahead 22-20 going into the final period of play.
Each team scored just 11 points in the second half. The Raiders, who lost for the third straight time, went just 3-15 from the field in the final half. Northridge finished the game 10-29 from the field overall, including 5-13 on 3-point tries. The Raiders were just 3-10 from the line and had 13 turnovers.
Taylor Miller netted 10 points to lead Northridge, which drops to 10-4 overall and 2-1 in NLC action. Brianne O’Dell had seven points and Baleigh Carithers six for the Raiders.
The Warsaw junior varsity team continued its outstanding season with a 34-26 win Saturday night. Tahya Bruce tallied 15 points and Dayton Groninger nine to lead the winners.
Warsaw plays at Fort Wayne Carroll Wednesday and then at NLC foe Goshen Saturday night. Northridge hosts DeKalb Tuesday night.