Highlanders Remain Unbeaten with 42-38 Victory Over Cranford
Lady Highlanders improve to 11-0 on the season.
In what had been a slow paced game up until that point, Governor Livingston turned in a 15-7 third quarter en route to a 42-38 victory over the Cranford Cougars in Cranford.
Both teams played a crisp game that featured plenty of defense. Both also proved that they are certainly two of the best in the county and will be in any conversation when the postseason competition begins.
Rebecca Johnson’s (13 points, four rebounds) two free throws with 15.9 seconds remaining put the Highlanders (11-0) ahead by four and all but sealed their 11th straight victory to start the season.
The Cougars (9-3) took advantage of the slow pace early in the game, leading for the first two periods when baskets seemed hard to come by. Both teams started the game off tentatively and were only to able to total eleven points in the feeling out period as Cranford held a 7-4 lead when it was all said and done.
The second period was much of the same as both teams struggled to get going offensively. Cranford appeared set to gain some breathing room as they led 16-9 with just a few minutes remaining in the quarter. The resilient Governor Livingston squad, ranked 19th in the state, fought back to draw to within three at 16-13 at the half.
The Highlanders opened the second half with a renewed energy on the offensive end and played one of the most impressive offensive periods you’ll see. Governor Livingston started the period on an 8-0 run and a 5-0 run with only a Kaitlin McGovern (10 points) three-pointer in between.
The Highlanders finished the period ahead 28-23 and would never trail again. Cranford kept it close for much of the final period and even tie the game on an occasion but were unable to make the final push needed to hand their opponent their first loss of the season.
Morgan Miller (15 points, six rebounds, four steals) sunk a three to knot the game at 32-a piece only to be matched by Sam Dowling’s (six points) three-pointer to put her team ahead once and for all.
Erin Ferguson was a force all afternoon for the Highlanders, who earned herself 9 rebounds to go along with three points. The center also did a phenomenal job of protecting the paint and did not allow any easy looks at the rim. Alyssa Polimeni was outstanding running the point for the Highlanders on her way to a 10-point effort. The guard showed off an impressive ability to get to the basket and finish creatively with either hand in traffic.
The Highlanders look to extend their unbeaten streak on Friday when they host the Royals of Oak Knoll at 7:00. The Cougars look to get back on the winning track when they travel to Elizabeth for a 4:00 tip-off.
| GL | 4 | 9 | 15 | 14 | 42 |
| Cranford | 7 | 9 | 7 | 15 | 38 |
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