Sparked by its defense, Amanda-Clearcreek erupted for 35 points in the second and third quarters on Saturday to rally from an early deficit and defeat host Westfall 56-41 in a non-league game.
The Aces (1-0) forced 14 turnovers in the first half and 24 for the game.
After having their season-opener postponed a night earlier against Logan Elm, the Mustangs (0-1) came out with a strong first quarter to take an early 16-8 lead.
The Mustangs drained 6 of 9 (66.7 percent) shots in the period and had five players score. Alyssa Wyman led the charge by making 2 of 3 shots and scoring seven points in the period.
“Give credit to Westfall and how they came out and took it to us initially,” A-C coach Tim Leist said. “They shot the ball really well and challenged us defensively in the first quarter.”
Amanda-Clearcreek limited Westfall to just five field goals over the next two quarters, two apiece by Reese Moehl and Paige Weiss, as its defensive pressure sparked an 18-6 run during the second quarter.
Emily Buckley led the charge with seven points, Hailey Sowers tallied five and Taylor Evans added four, which allowed the Aces to erase an early deficit and take a 24-22 lead into intermission.
“Our girls responded well defensively, and our pressure forced a lot of turnovers which led to some scoring opportunities,” Leist said. “We were also able to get our transition game going and that helped us get control of the game.
The Aces shot 7 of 11 (63.6 percent) from the field in the third quarter as they stretched their lead to 41-29.
Five players scored during the run for the Aces, led by Sowers with five points and Evans accounting for four more.
Free throw shooting and turnovers were a concern for both sides.
The Aces committed 22 turnovers themselves and shot 12 of 20 (60 percent) from the line, while the Mustangs were 13 of 25 (52 percent) from the stripe.
“The girls played really hard, but we just couldn’t hit enough free throws in the fourth quarter to give us a chance to win,” Westfall coach Joseph Patete observed. “We were 9-16 from the foul line in the fourth quarter.”
Buckley led all scorers with 15 points for the Aces, Sowers had 12 and Evans also scored 12 in her varsity debut as a freshman.
Weiss knocked down a trio of triples on her way to 14 points for the Mustangs and Wyman added 10.
The Aces open Mid-State League Buckeye Division play on Tuesday when they host Bowling Green signee Abbie Riddle and Liberty Union.
The Mustangs continue non-conference play with a trip to Central Crossing, also on Tuesday.
Amanda-Clearcreek 56,
Westfall 41
AMANDA-CLEARCREEK — Emily Buckley 5-4-15, Grace Davis 3-1-7, Rachel Weaver 1-0-2, Allie Leist 0-2-2, Megan Tooill 1-0-3, Hailey Sowers 5-1-12, Taylor Evans 4-3-12, Addy Pugh 1-1-3. Three-point goals — Emily Buckley, Megan Tooill, Hailey Sowers and Taylor Evans. Total — 20 12-20 56.
WESTFALL — Alyssa Wyman 2-5-10, Marianna Packer 0-5-5, Paige Weiss 4-3-14, Reese Moehl 3-0-6, Aubrey Clark 2-0-4, Izzy Picklesimer 1-0-2. Three-point goals — Paige Weiss (3) and Alyssa Wyman. Total — 12 13-25 41.
Quarter scores 1 2 3 4 F
Am.-Clearcreek 6 18 17 15 56
Westfall 16 6 7 12 41
