Christian Liberty pulls away from Elgin Academy
Jasmine Marsh and Christian Liberty Academy started slowly but pulled away late. Marsh scored 11 of her game-high 17 points in the second half as the Chargers pulled away from Elgin Academy for a 34-19 nonconference girls basketball victory in Elgin Thursday.
Christian Liberty led just 18-15 after 3 quarters, but opened the final period on a 14-2 run to blow the game open.
"The first half they were not playing like themselves," said Christian Liberty coach Annie Salsgiver. "I don't know what it was, but they finally figured out what was wrong and they worked together, and they pulled it out."
Marsh also had 15 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 assists. Sam Amedian added 10 points for Christian Liberty (2-11). Cassie Swiderik chipped in 5 points and 13 boards. The Chargers outrebounded the hosts 37-22.
Gia Joyce led the Hilltoppers with 10 points and also grabbed 9 rebounds, while Renee Scimeca added 5 points.
Elgin Academy scored the game's first 4 points. The Hilltoppers took their final lead at 8-7 on a pair of free throws by Roma Hameed midway through the second quarter. But the Chargers scored the final 6 points of the first half and never looked back.
Marsh began to assert herself after intermission, muscling inside for rebounds and either scoring from close range or kicking it back out for open jump shots.
Defensively, the Chargers forced 23 turnovers and held the Hilltoppers to 21 percent shooting. Elgin Academy scored just 4 points in 3 of the 4 quarters.
Elgin Academy got within 18-15 on a basket by Joyce and a free throw by Scimeca in the third quarter. But Swiderek hit a basket and Marsh scored on a putback for Christian Liberty. After Joyce answered for the HIilltoppers to make it 22-17, the Chargers scored 10 straight points to ice the game.
The Chargers and Hilltoppers meet again on Monday in the opening round of the Class 1A Westminster Christian regional.