Walther Christian outlasts Antioch

It took until winter break, but Antioch's girls basketball team is finally playing consistently well.

The Sequoits entered the Lisle Holiday Cage Classic with only one win on the season, but headed into Friday night looking for their third win in as many nights.

And they nearly got it.

Facing undefeated Walther Christian Academy in the tournament semifinals, Antioch was competitive the entire game before dropping a 48-41 decision.

The Sequoits (3-13, 2-1 tourney) will take on Reed-Custer (15-4) in the third-place game at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Walther Christian (15-0) will face Riverdale (14-4) in the championship game at 8 p.m. Riverdale won its semifinal over Reed-Custer 35-32 after trailing 25-12 late in the third quarter.

Antioch couldn't handle Walther Christian's full court pressure, committing 10 turnovers in the final quarter.

"Our inexperience and our lack of basketball knowledge reared its ugly head," Antioch coach Tim Borries said. "We just didn't handle the pressure. ... (Walther Christian) picked up the pace and played faster. We just can't do that yet."

Antioch pulled within 34-32 when Piper Foote (12 points) hit her fourth 3-pointer with 6:50 left in the fourth.

"It's nice when we can run through the play, be patient and get shots like that," Foote said. "It boosts us up a little bit."

But Walther Christian's pressure took over, as the Broncos went on a 14-4 run. Darian Mobley hit a couple of free throws that made the score 48-36 with 30 seconds left.

Nayla Loos hit a 3-pointer, and Avery Larson (team-high 14 points) sank a jump shot during the final quarter for Antioch. The Sequoits led 10-8 after the first eight minutes and trailed 22-18 at the break. The Broncos held a 31-28 advantage heading into the final quarter.

"We did play hard, and I can't take that away from them," Borries said. "We just have to learn the game. They just need to play more."

Tasia Jordan led the Broncos with 15 points and 13 rebounds, Kalvina Eubanks added 10 points and 7 steals, and Mya Riddles chipped in 9 points and 8 boards.