By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

NEW BOSTON — The St. Joseph Female Flyers were better. Now coach Nick Miller wants to continue their improvement.

Despite a 43-40 loss to the New Boston Lady Tigers on Thursday, coach Miller was pleased with how his team responded to a 55-21 loss on Monday.

“We had our chances at the end,” said coach Miller. “But we played better. We lost by 30 on Monday to Notre Dame and they beat New Boston by two, so I was pleased with our effort. To lose to a similar type team by three is encouraging.”

Hannah Miller scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Female Flyers. Amber Neal added 10 points.

Kiersten McGraw had 19 points while Shawna Buckley and Danielle Yantis scored 11 each for New Boston (5-2).

St. Joseph took a 17-11 first quarter lead as Neal scored 6 points while Haley Bartram, Sarah Neal and Hannah Miller all hit 3-pointes. McGraw had all 11 of the Lady Tigers’ points.

“The key for us is our shooting. We play good defense. We just have to make shots,” said coach Miller.

Hannah Miller scored 5 points in the second quarter but the Female Flyers were outscored 15-6. Yantis had 7 and Buckley 5 as New Boston took a 26-23 halftime lead.

New Boston was up 34-29 after three quarters. Amber Neal and Hannah Miller scored 4 each in the fourth quarter but the Female Flyers’ rally fell short.

The Female Flyers (3-5) play at Sciotoville East Thursday, Dec. 29.

St. Joseph 17 6 6 11 = 40

New Boston 11 15 8 8 = 43

ST. JOSEPH (3-5): Meg Alexander 0 0 0-0 0, Katie Roach 0 0 0-0 0, Amber Neal 4 0 2-2 10, Sarah Neal 0 2 2-2 5, Becca Patrick 0 0 1-4 1, Hannah Miller 7 2 1-2 21, Haley Bartram 0 1 0-0 3, Molly Miller 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 11 4 6-10 40. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: S. Neal.

NEW BOSTON (5-2): Toni Veach 0 0 0-0 0, Shawna Buckley 4 0 3-6 11, Miranda Litz 1 0 0-0 2, Emily Waugh 0 0 0-0 0, Danielle Yantis 4 0 3-6 11, Kiersten McGraw 9 0 1-3 19. Totals: 18 0 7-15 43. Fouls: 9. Fouled out: None.