By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

SCIOTOVILLE — A lot of things can go wrong with a young team, but the St. Joseph Female Flyers have been able to rely on one constant all season.

Defense.

While the Female Flyers made just 29 percent of their shots, their defense remained solid as they beat the Sciotoville East Lady Tartans 35-31 on Thursday.

“We struggled offensively with our shooting, but we’ve been playing good defense and we played pretty good tonight,” said St. Joseph coach Nick Miller.

“Except for a couple of really good teams, we’re keeping teams under 50 points. I looked out one time and we had four freshmen and a sophomore on the floor. We’re making mistakes but we’re playing hard.”

Hannah Miller scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Female Flyers (4-5). Sarah Neal had 5 points and 5 rebounds, Meg Alexander had 3 steals and Amber Neal a pair of steals.

Torrie Kelley scored 13 and Tiffany Craft 11 for East (1-7).

Hannah Miller and Sarah Neal scored 4 points each as St. Joseph took a 10-6 first quarter lead. The Female Flyers stretched the margin to 19-12 at the half.

Craft and Kelley combined for 13 points in the third quarter but Hannah Miller scored 7 as the Female Flyers held a 31-28 lead.

Despite missing four foul shots in the fourth quarter, St. Joseph was able to hang on for the win.

St. Joseph 10 9 12 4 = 35

Sciotoville 6 6 16 3 = 31

ST. JOSEPH (4-5): Meg Alexander 2 0 0-0 4, Katie Roach 1 0 0-0 2, Amber Neal 0 0 2-2 2, Sarah Neal 2 0 1-4 5, Becca Patrick 0 0 0-0 0, Hannah Miller 6 0 6-15 18, Haley Bartram 0 1 0-1 3, Molly Miller 0 0 1-2 1. Totals: 12-41 10-24 35. 3-point goals: 1-2. Rebounds: 5-22=27 (H. Miller 10, S. Neal 5). Assists: 3 (A. Neal 2). Steals: 11 (Alexander 3). Turnovers: 15. Fouls: 6. Fouled out: None.

SCIOTOVILLE EAST (1-7): Tiffany Craft 5 0 1-2 11, Jessie Monroe 1 1 1-2 6, Emily Howard 0 0 1-2 1, Brooke Newell 0 0 0-0 0, Brooklyn Meadows 0 0 0-2 0, Ariel Loop 0 0 0-0 0, Torri Kelley 5 1 0-0 13, Haley Fisher 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 11 2 3-8 31. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: Craft.