Loss to Marian Catholic leaves Benet wanting more

Benet would love another shot at Marian Catholic.

Another shot not only would mean both teams went downstate in Class 4A girls basketball, but it also would give the Redwings a chance to show they're better than Wednesday's 59-49 loss in Lisle.

"They're a good team. There's no question (Marian Catholic) is a very good team," Benet coach Joe Kilbride said. "I just didn't think we gave them our best shot tonight."

In a meeting of two teams ranked in the top 10 in Class 4A by The Associated Press, Benet (24-3, 5-3 East Suburban Catholic Conference) never led, and the only tie was at 2-2. The Spartans (22-2, 9-0) led by as many as 13 points, that margin coming in the third quarter.

"It felt like to me that we were back on our heels a little bit, particulary in the first half," Kilbride said. "Not the same attack mentality we've had all year. I'm not sure why. We were tentative running the offense. When we missed some shots, I think the kids started thinking a little bit too much. You can't think, you've got to play."

When turnovers weren't a problem for the Redwings - they had 21 for the game, their "undoing," Kilbride said - shooting was. Benet made 36 percent of its shots from the floor.

The Redwings pulled as close as 5 points in the fourth quarter, but the Spartans' defense never let Benet get comfortable.

"I don't think we really ever let them have a run like they're capable of having," Murray said. "I thought that was the biggest thing in the game."

Benet junior point guard Kathleen Doyle tried in vain to lift her team back into the game. She scored a game-best 18 points, with 4 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists.

"Kathleen was a warrior," Kilbride said.

Emily Eshoo added 10 points for the Redwings, and Emily Schramek scored 9, all on 3-pointers.

The Spartans suffered a scare in the third quarter when point guard Teniya Page, a Penn State recruit, hit the floor and grabbed her knee. She sat for a couple of minutes before returning in the fourth quarter. Page finished with 11 points, all in the second half.

"It seemed like she caught fire a little bit there when she came back for us," said Marian Catholic coach Dan Murray. "She struggled to shoot the ball tonight, then when she came back, it seemed like sitting out helped her."

Junior Gabrielle Cooper led the Spartans with 14 points, and senior Kauai Bradley added 11 points, plus 13 rebounds and 3 steals.

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