Poised Titans top Shaker for nonconference win

Sometimes you just need to figure out how to win a game. Forget all the negativity and just come away with a ‘W.’

Such was the case Jan. 27 for the Lorain Titans, who struggled from late in the first quarter until the middle of the fourth, but managed to pull out a 50-45 victory over a young and struggling squad from Shaker Heights.

LORAIN 50, SHAKER HEIGHTS 45

Lorain led, 18-7, late in the first quarter and appeared poised to run away and hide. But midway through the final period they found themselves behind, 45-40, before scoring the game’s final 10 points.

When asked what made the difference down the stretch for the Titans, coach Mark Feldmann didn’t hesitate with his response.

“Poise,” he said.

“We kept our cool once we got the lead,” Feldmann continued. “One thing our girls know is how to win when games are close. We’ve won some close games. I thought we made some really good decisions down the stretch.”

The Titans, now 12-3 and tied for first in the Lake Erie League, had all 10 of their points down the stretch scored by Mackenzie Barricklow and Brooklyn Ferguson. Barricklow hit a 3-pointer with 3:43 left to pull Lorain to within 4543, and Ferguson hit two layups in less than 20 seconds to give Lorain a 47-45 lead. The two then combined to hit 3 of 5 free throws in the final 12 seconds to reach the final score.

“I don’t think we overlooked anybody,” Feldmann said. “It was just one of those games.”

The zone defense employed by Shaker didn’t seem to bother Lorain for most of the first quarter. But eventually the Titans went cold, allowing the Red

Raiders to climb back into the game. Lorain’s 18-10 lead after one period evaporated into a 28-26 halftime deficit.

“We were just struggling to make shots,” Barricklow said. “I feel like we were playing a little too fast, a little rushed and out of control.”

The Titans hit a spurt late in the third period, as Barricklow hit another of her four 3-pointers, Ferguson hit a fast break layup following a steal, and Destiny Evans hit a foul line jumper, giving Lorain a 3835 lead entering the fourth. However, Tahsja Jackson, who led the Raiders with a game-high 19 points, hit two 3-pointers as the hosts built their biggest lead of the night, 45-40.

“They made some shots,” Feldmann said. “Give them some credit. Confidence is a killer. You give teams confidence like that, I don’t care what their record is.”

Evans led Lorain with 14 points, followed by Barricklow with 13 and Ferguson with 12.