St. Edward makes quick work of Larkin

St. Edward girls basketball coach Michelle Dawson said her team has been in an offensive slump recently.

The Green Wave certainly broke out of it Tuesday night. The Wave shot 55 percent for the game, scored 25 first-quarter points and cruised to an 80-23 nonconference victory over Larkin.

"We're very pleased with our offensive effort," Dawson said. "The last couple of games we've been struggling putting the ball in the bucket. I liked how we were taking it to the basket strong."

The Royals (3-15) took a 2-0 lead on a Paris Patterson basket 40 seconds into the game. That would be Larkin's only lead of the night.

St. Edward (14-6) went 10-for-17 from the floor in the first quarter and took a 25-7 lead after the first 8 minutes. Paige Gannon scored 8 of her 14 points in the quarter.

"It is nice for us to get up early, to have a nice cushion, so we can work on different things in game scenarios," Gannon said.

The Green Wave, which hadn't scored more than 50 points in its last six games, continued to build its lead the rest of the game and continued to run its offense, hoping to find a good rhythm as it heads back into Suburban Catholic Conference play Friday against St. Francis.

Callie Johnson led St. Edward with 15 points. Madeline Kerr added 13 points and Enza Ranallo and Kelly Tripicchio each had 10 points. Rena Ranallo and Katherine VonAhnen each added 8 points.

"We've got the tools. We've got the offensive threats," Dawson said. "For some reason, we haven't been hitting lately.

"Hopefully this will get us started back on the right track and ready for St. Francis on Friday."

Larkin shot 9-for-40 and committed 31 turnovers.

Jill Casebeer led the Royals with 7 points. Torie Patterson added 6 off the bench.