New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
HOPKINS
Smith had four points for Sacred Heart, which seized control of the game by finishing the first half with a 14-3 run against Hopkins.
“We were saying that when I get the ball, it gives me the opportunity to work to score, but also it opens up the outside, because if I get the ball the defense is focused on the inside,” Eckerson said.
Sacred Heart’s center received the ball in areas other than the low post as well, enabling her to drive to the basket.
“I’m trying to be more mobile, not just posting up and finishing on the rebounds,” Eckerson said and that seems to be working out well.”
Hopkins (6-15) was led by junior forward Charlotte Yin’s eight points. The Hilltoppers, who dropped a 40-28 decision to Sacred Heart in the regular season, also received seven points from guard Abigail Mills. The final several minutes of the opening half was the difference, as the Tigers (17-5) pulled away to a double-digit lead.
“They made their baskets toward the end of the first half,” Hopkins coach Casey Blake said. “No. 31 (Eckerson) she was big for them in the middle, she was able to make her shots and get to the basket. We forced some nice turnovers, but were unable to capitalize on them. We got some decent looks, but we weren’t in a rhythm.”
Both teams started slowly in the opening half, but a free throw by Atkins and a left-handed layup by Eckerson gave the Tigers a 12-8 lead with just under six minutes remaining in the half.
Junior forward Casey Dies banked in a shot for the Hilltoppers and sophomore guard Fiona O’Brien swished two free throws, putting the visitors ahead, 13-12 with 3:46 left in the first half.
Then came the decisive run by the Tigers.
Atkins converted a baseline jumper, Smith made a mid-range jump shot, Atkins scored on a layup off a steal from Alana Frederick and made another basket off a Hopkins turnover, making it 20-13.
Eckerson then scored in the low post, then made a basket off a putback, opening a 26-15 advantage for the home team.
“Our man thing was getting it to the post and getting it to Sarah and once we did that on offense we were able to keep rolling,” Smith said. “Our offense flowed really well today and we relied on our defense to ignite our offense and give us opportunities.”
Added Atkins: “We always rely on our defense. The second half, we really turned it on. Defense is our main game, so it really helped us in the end. The semifinals, we need even more intensity.”
A 3-pointer fro the left side by freshman forward Emma Maldon brought Hopkins to within 26-19 in 16 seconds into the second half. A pair of free throws by senior forward Claire Liddy and an Eckerson basket, put the Tigers up again by double-digits at 30-19. Layups by Frederick and Morgan Smith gave Sacred Heart a 37-23 edge midway through the second half. The Hilltoppers' 3-point shooting was held in check by Sacred Heart, which effectively defended the perimeter.