Burlington

combining for 21 turnovers in that time. Passing lanes were easily jumped, and while the Wildcats found a way to put up points on Jessica Collins’ (8 points, 7 rebounds, 6 steals) five steals in the half, the Red Devils consistently gained a little momentum before quickly losing it on a forced pass or a missed open shot.

Frustration started to mount for Burlington early in the third quarter around the time Wilmington’s Jenna Sweeney (9 points, 6 rebounds) converted a floater and a free throw to take a 26-24 lead. Mackay gave a passionate speech to her team in a timeout to get them all back on the same page to work together, and heightened defensive tenacity ensued.

“We just needed to regroup,” Mackay said.

Callahan dribbled into a dead-on triple with four minutes left in the third quarter and picked up the fourth of her five assists in the next possession on a Megan Murphy (8 points, 3 steals) jumper for a 29-26 lead.

Wilmington fell into a lull of turnovers and missed jumpers, which Pavao and Alyvia Pena (8 points, 4 steals) turned into outlet passes for transition layups to extend the lead.

It all started with the defense, which Taylor Pavao played a large part in as well with seven rebounds and four blocks.

“We played our game (in the second half ) and didn’t play to their speed,” Sydney Pavao said. “When we played to their speed, it was kind of a hot mess, but once we got into control, it went much better. … Once defense fell (into place), offense would come.”