Lady Raiders erase 20 pt. deficit for 56-49 victory

Published in the January 15, 2016 edition

ALI BORNSTEIN goes for a basket during the Melrose Lady Raider hoop team's league win over Wakefield. (Donna Larsson photo) 

ALI BORNSTEIN goes for a basket during the Melrose Lady Raider hoop team’s league win over Wakefield. (Donna Larsson photo)

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE — The Melrose Lady Raider hoop team enjoyed their most satisfying win of the season with a wild, overtime victory over Wakefield on Friday, Jan. 8 at the Melrose Middle School gym. The Lady Raiders erased a 20 point deficit to win in overtime, which improved their record to 4-4 overall.

Wakefield took control of the ball with a 10-7 lead by end of the first, thanks to three pointers by Warriors Hannah Dziadyk and Grace Hurley. Wakefield seemingly ran away with the game in the second, tallying 17 points to Melrose’s 6 which brought the Lady Raiders down 27-13 at halftime. Melrose came into second half reenergized, operating with a full court press and outscored the Warriors 16-9 with an overall, solid aggressive game and clean foul shots (8-10 at the line), which closed the gap, 36-29, at the end of the third. Among those leading in scoring was Alexis Doherty (16 points, three 3 pointers) Caroline Nolan (9 points), Ali Bornstein (12 points) Cat Torpey (8 points) and Leonora Ivers (7 points). Melrose exploded in the fourth, drawing fouls that brought them to the foul line and made over a dozen of them. Despite Wakefield hitting a shot to force overtime, Melrose ran away with the game with 11 points for a final, 56-49 win.

Buoyed by the victory, Melrose put on an impressive performance against #5 ranked Watertown (7-1) on Tuesday at the Melrose Middle School gym. Melrose ultimately fell 38-26 in a game that was no doubt a little too close for comfort for Watertown, who was led in scoring by standout Shannon Murphy (11 points). Melrose entered the game undaunted, taking leads of 3-0 and 6-0 after a trey from Alexis Doherty and a layup from Cat Torpey. Torpey opened the second with another basket which kept Melrose ahead 8-4 and Melrose displayed an impressive transition game with Ali Bornstein and Leonora Ivers charging toward the net for baskets.

Melrose maintained a 14-13 lead into halftime thanks to solid defense from Cat Torpey, who limited the standout Murphy to only 2 first half points, and Lily Cunningham, who hit a basket at the buzzer. Solid first half rebounding was made by Melrose’s Olivia Smith, Cat Torpey, Lily Cunningham and Leonora Ivers. Watertown returned from the half energized and led by Murphy and Katlin Rourke, outscored Melrose 7-1 in the opening minutes of the quarter. Melrose defense showed signs of wear but by the end of the third Caroline Nolan and Ali Bornstein kept Melrose close with a score of 24-21. Nolan would tie the game with an impressive three pointer with 6:51 left on the clock, which tied the game up 26-26 but Shannon Murphy ran away with the game with 7 straight points to allow Watertown to steal a win from a threatening Melrose squad.

The Lady Raiders look to bounce back when they travel to Stoneham on Friday for a 7 p.m. game.