February 18, 2012 @ 12:10 am
Despite taking a five-point lead with three minutes to go against Emerald Ridge thanks to an eight-point run, Bellarmine couldn’t hang on in the end, falling 48-44 to the Jaguars in the 4A district consolation bracket to end their season.
“We did some good things out there,” said Lions head coach Kevin Meines. “They made the plays when they needed to and we didn’t.”
Senior guard Taylor Buie led the Jaguars with 28 points, including four three-pointers, to almost serve as the only offensive option for Emerald Ridge.
Jasmyne Holmes helped lead Bellarmine to a 9-7 first-quarter lead with five points and a nice dish to Ionna Price for an easy layup, and Nhyze Primas built the lead to 17-11 with two early baskets in the second.
The Lions held a 21-17 lead at the half, and Sydney Swofford’s three-pointer halfway through the third gave Bellarmine a 26-22 lead. But Stephanie Riley – who scored 15 points for Emerald Ridge – followed with a three of her own, and Buie’s three with two minutes left in the quarter gave the Jaguars their first lead at 28-27.
“She’s one of the best scorers in the state,” Meines said of Buie. “We didn’t have an answer for her, and you can only hope to contain a kid like that for so long.”
The seesaw battle continued into the fourth quarter, as Swofford’s three-pointer and Petty’s put-back capped an 8-0 run to put the Lions back on top 41-36 with three minutes to go.
But Buie responded with another three and gave the Jaguars the lead at 43-41 with a driving layup with a minute to go. Primas’ three-pointer with 13 seconds left put the Lions within 46-44, but Riley clinched it with two free throws at the other end.
Petty was dominant inside for Bellarmine, as the senior led the Lions with 13 points and 17 rebounds.
“She’s going to be a tough one to lose,” Meines said. “She’s one of the hardest workers we’ve ever had, and does the little things that really don’t get a lot of attention. She’s the heart and soul of this team.”
Primas had eight points and five rebounds, Holmes finished with seven points and Price had four points and 11 rebounds for the Lions.
