Braves Come Up Short Against Spartans

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. -- Despite a game-high 13 points from junior guard Kirsten McNeice, the Taconic girls' basketball team came up a little short in a 49-41 road loss to Monument Mountain on Friday. 

McNeice added four rebounds and two assists, while classmate Angela O'Neil added 12 points, five boards and three assists for the Braves, who fell to 1-4 with the loss. The Spartans (1-3) jumped out of the gates early, opening a 16-9 lead after the first quarter. Taconic battled back by holding Monument to just five points in the second quarter, but the hosts still maintained a 21-17 lead at halftime.

Powered by 12 points each from Vanessa Troiano and Heather Hassett, the Spartans were able to hold off the Braves in the second half. Taconic also got solid contributions from post players Nyanna Slaughter and Brianna Rogers, who each had five points and nine rebounds. 

The Braves next host South Hadley at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.