Rosary's bench provides difference
The decisive run for Rosary came in the second quarter.
But it was not the Royals' starting five who tipped the balance in their 52-37 Suburban Christian Conference girls basketball crossover victory over Aurora Christian Tuesday night at home in Aurora.
The reserves' play ultimately proved to be the catalyst for the Royals' victory.
"That's been our new theme," Rosary coach Dave Beebe said after his club improved to 7-15 on the year on the strength of second-quarter bench play. "We have some talented kids who can play off the bench."
St. Charles resident Karly Tate was the main weapon in reserve for the Royals.
The sophomore guard scored all 7 of her points after being inserted midway through the second quarter.
"Once I started making some (conversions), it got my confidence going," Tate said. "It motivated me to do my best for the team."
Rosary led 13-10 after the first quarter, largely courtesy of Brenda Rocha going on a 7-point personal run to erase the Eagles' only lead of the contest.
Aurora Christian (4-16) would score on four straight possessions to close out the quarter, but Rosary erupted for 20 points in the second quarter to take a 33-21 lead into the break.
In addition to Tate, Mary Wentworth converted a 3-point field goal and Brittney Hutchinson added a conventional bucket.
The reserves' contributions augmented an earlier 3-pointer by Courtney Bila and a pair of inside scores by post Breann Maryanaski, who led the Royals with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Tate had a 3-point field goal of her own during the run to give Rosary its first of many double-digit leads, 26-16, throughout the contest.
In essence, the second quarter became a showcase for bench players.
Aurora Christian reserve Sarina Oleson kept the Eagles within shouting distance with three second-quarter buckets.
Instead of making inroads against the Royals' second unit, though, the Eagles trailed by a dozen at the intermission.
"That (Rosary lineup) would have been a group we thought we could take advantage of," Aurora Christian coach Jerry Tokars said. "We couldn't get those situational turnovers to make their palms sweat."
Rosary made only 3 of its 18 second-half field-goal attempts, but made 13 free throws to salt the game away.
Aurora Christian was also hampered by foul trouble to its center, Alyssa Henzel.
The junior post had neutralized Rosary early with 4 blocks but spent significant minutes on the pines with fouls.
"It was rough sitting out," the North Aurora resident said. "You find your team falling behind."
Bila and Rocha finished with 9 points each for Rosary; Madison Richmond added 9 for the Royals.
Freshman sixth-man Alyssa Andersen led Aurora Christian with 11 points.