Macs saved by Grace
Hynes returns from injury, but Mother McAuley’s rally falls short against Montini
Losing Thursday night’s game to Montini hardly was a fall from grace for Mother McAuley.
The Mighty Macs played tough and were within four points with just over two minutes remaining.
So what was the ultimate difference in the 48-37 GCAC Red loss? Perhaps a fallen Grace. It certainly didn’t help that the Mighty Macs played the final 10 minutes of the first half without leading scorer and rebounder Grace Hynes.
The senior guard/forward had to leave the game late in the first quarter when she caught an elbow under her right eye and suffered a huge gash.
Hynes returned in the second half and contributed eight points and eight rebounds for the Mighty Macs (18-2, 2-1). Jenna Badali added 17 points, while Lauren Ramsey had 10 rebounds.
Sophie Sullivan scored 19 points for Montini (20-3, 3-0). Tatiana Thomas had six points and 10 rebounds.
Hynes was hurt doing what she does best, scrapping for an offensive rebound.
“I caught a nasty elbow,” she said. “It happens under the basket.”
Moments later, Hynes left the court with blood streaming down the right side of her face.
“I could feel it start to swell up right when I got hit,” Hynes said. “And my contact also fell out my eye.”
A foul wasn’t called. And Hynes never found the contact. But she was most upset about leaving the game.
“Ugh, trust me,” Hynes said. “I never want to come out of a game, especially in a game like this. I wasn’t happy, but (trainer) Amanda (McNabb) is awesome. She got me fixed up.”
McAuley was within 12-8 when Hynes left. Montini held a 25-15 lead at halftime.
When Hynes returned for the second half, her first move was to drive against two taller Montini defenders. She made the layup while being fouled and completed the 3-point play.
“I wanted to be aggressive,” Hynes said. “We needed a little bit of a spark. I just saw an opening and went for it.”
No fear.
“Oh, no,” Hynes said with a smile. “Well, yeah. I’m glad I didn’t get hit again.”
The aggressive first move was no surprise to McAuley coach Ashley Luke Clanton.
“She’s a tough kid,” Luke Clanton said. “We knew she’d come back. Some kids wouldn’t after getting popped like that, but she stepped on the floor and played as if nothing had happened.
“Without Grace, we struggled in the first half. I think that’s no question.”
Hynes’ 3-point play was indeed the spark McAuley needed. The Mighty Macs trailed the entire second half, but after a driving layup by Badali with 4:01 remaining, the deficit was whittled down to 39-35.
Montini then shut down the Mighty Macs on several possessions and locked up the win by making nine consecutive free throws.
Hynes, meanwhile, continued to battle. She pulled down McAuley’s final rebound of the game.
Then she went to the hospital for stitches.
“Grace is one of the toughest kids I’ve ever played with,” Badali said. “She always goes 110 percent, and is always pushing her teammates to be their best. It really shows.”