Wildcats Claw Their Way Back to Victory
Kimball Union traveled to Saxtons River, VT, to face the Wildcats from Vermont Academy (4-5) and came away with a hard fought 42-38 victory. The hosts shot an impressive 50% from the floor in the opening stanza while KUA was ice cold at 20%. Sophomore Greydy Diaz went strong to the rim and buried a lay-up with time running out to cut the half-time deficit to 11 for Kimball Union.
KUA's Lauren Darnall hit back-to-back buckets in the opening minute of the second stanza to cut Vermont's lead to 7 while VA did not have a field goal until 8:53 left in the game. A strong defensive effort and solid rebounding by the KUA squad allowed the Wildcats from NH to chip away at Vermont's lead. Freshman Bianca Brenz drew the assignment of defending VA's hot shooter, Jennie Edgar. Brenz was up to the task holding Edgar to just one bucket in the second half. Meanwhile, Darnall continued to look for her shot and hit a deep three to tie the game with about 4 minutes left in the contest. Tori Agel then fed Diaz at the top of the key and Diaz hit nothing but net from downtown. Shelby Pillsbury '10 came into the game and forced a Vermont turnover which led to another trifecta by Darnall. The Lady Wildcats found themselves up by 2 (40-38) with just under 30 seconds left when an over the back violation was called on Post Graduate Katie Johnson from VA. Johnson had to go to the bench as this was her fifth foul while Pillsbury went to the line and coolly sank both free throws to secure the win for Kimball Union now 4-4.
Faith Smith and Autumn Kariuki led the way for KUA with 8 rebounds apiece while Agel and Diaz each grabbed 7 boards. Darnall and Kariuki each netted 10 points while Diaz chipped in with 9. Diaz dished out 3 assists with Brenz and Agel adding 2 each. Darnall led the way in the steals department with 3 on the afternoon and Agel recorded a team-high 2 blocks.
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KUA's Lauren Darnall hit back-to-back buckets in the opening minute of the second stanza to cut Vermont's lead to 7 while VA did not have a field goal until 8:53 left in the game. A strong defensive effort and solid rebounding by the KUA squad allowed the Wildcats from NH to chip away at Vermont's lead. Freshman Bianca Brenz drew the assignment of defending VA's hot shooter, Jennie Edgar. Brenz was up to the task holding Edgar to just one bucket in the second half. Meanwhile, Darnall continued to look for her shot and hit a deep three to tie the game with about 4 minutes left in the contest. Tori Agel then fed Diaz at the top of the key and Diaz hit nothing but net from downtown. Shelby Pillsbury '10 came into the game and forced a Vermont turnover which led to another trifecta by Darnall. The Lady Wildcats found themselves up by 2 (40-38) with just under 30 seconds left when an over the back violation was called on Post Graduate Katie Johnson from VA. Johnson had to go to the bench as this was her fifth foul while Pillsbury went to the line and coolly sank both free throws to secure the win for Kimball Union now 4-4.
Faith Smith and Autumn Kariuki led the way for KUA with 8 rebounds apiece while Agel and Diaz each grabbed 7 boards. Darnall and Kariuki each netted 10 points while Diaz chipped in with 9. Diaz dished out 3 assists with Brenz and Agel adding 2 each. Darnall led the way in the steals department with 3 on the afternoon and Agel recorded a team-high 2 blocks.
