Balasa joins 1,000-point club

Upper Dublin senior hits milestone in close win over Souderton

FRANCONIA >> The day started with a milestone and ended with another textbook Upper Dublin finish.

On the road against a Souderton team looking to pick up a big win to solidify its District 1-6A playoff spot, Cardinals senior Dayna Balasa chalked up her 1,000th point early. From there, it was defense and some clutch free throws that helped hold off Souderton’s late charge.

With her teammates’ help, Balasa celebrated a big number with a win as UD topped Souderton 43-36 Tuesday.

“It was so exciting, but also a relief,” Balasa said. “Huge thanks to my teammates.”

Balasa, the Cardinals’ career leader in 3-point makes, needed just six points entering the game to hit 1,000 and unsurprisingly, they went to her early. The deadeye senior clocked a three off a Jess Polin assist on UD’s first possession but would have to wait a few more minutes for next three points.

Finally, with 5:34 left in the game’s opening quarter the USciences recruit hit 1,000 fittingly on a 3-point jumper that was fittingly assisted by Polin, a fellow senior and the program’s career assist leader. Balasa, who notched her 250th trey last week hit all net then got swarmed by her teammates during the following timeout.

“I’ve always thought about it, it was something in the back of mind but I just wanted to win,” Balasa, a four-year starter, said. “However we win, that’s all I wanted.”

UD coach Morgan Funsten credited the sharpshooter’s consistency over her four years with the program.

“She’s extremely confident,

ANDREW ROBINSON — MEDIANEWS GROUP Upper Dublin’s Dayna Balasa, center, poses with her teammates after scoring her 1,000th point in a win over Souderton.