PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- After five consecutive losses, the McCann Tech girls basketball team got the W they were looking for Wednesday evening against St. Joe.
The Hornets defeated the Crusaders, 44-34, at St.Joe High School in Pittsfield.
“This was a good win for us,” McCann coach Mike Dowling said. “We start our league play Friday against Cathedral so, all and all, I was happy.”
McCann got off to a quick start in the first quarter, causing St. Joe coach Angel Chaffee to call a timeout as the Crusaders trailed 9-4 with four minutes remaining. They were able to put up six more points to end the quarter, but McCann held the lead 15-10.
In the second quarter, McCann was running through its offense and getting up some good shots, holding onto the lead, but St. Joe had the Hornets within three points after a few consecutive turnovers and a drive to the hoop from Camilla Gomez, who drew a foul and making the basket. McCann was able to pull away though and went into the second half with a 24-17 lead.
“We wanted to just keep pushing the ball and make them commit,” Chaffee said about going into the second half. “We tried to use [Phydelia Nwanze’s] height to our advantage, but she got in foul trouble early so that hurt us a little bit.”
McCann, who played zone defense in the first half, come out in the second playing man-to-man.
“We came out man-to-man looking to increase the lead,” he said. “We increased it by four, but it was still a little helter skelter so we went back into zone.
“We moved the ball well and shot the ball well.”
Both teams got into foul trouble early in the fourth quarter, sending players to the line, but McCann was able to hold out and take the 44-34 win.
McCann host Cathedral Friday at 7 p.m., and St. Joe host Lenox at 6.
