John Bruce, Staff Writer
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
ALBANY — When push came to shove in the critical moments on Friday night, Logan Elm had a little more gas in its tank on both sides of the ball.
After a first half of runs, the Braves turned up their defensive pressure and rode the hot shooting of Kiannah Ingram to a 60-51 win over Alexander, earning their 10th win of the season.
“I thought we played really well, and it’s a great sign that we keep winning, considering that we haven’t played a home game in almost a month,” Ingram said. “It doesn’t always have to be me scoring, and I know that my teammates can step up at any minute if I’m not having my best game.”
CREDIT: Raymond Gleadle/SOSA
The Braves (10-1) made an early statement, and did so with the deep ball. They sprinted out of the blocks as four different players — Ingram, Kimmy Petty, Palynn Wray and Kennedy Groff — all hit triples that had the Spartans reeling early.
LE shared the ball to find the open shooters against Alexander’s defense and converted at a high level. And, in the meantime, the Braves’ defense was active, keeping the Spartans from penetrating. The result was a 24-9 lead at the end of the first quarter.
“Our whole team can shoot the ball, so it’s really nice knowing I can pass it to anyone and they’ll make the shot,” Wray said. “I’m having a lot of fun with these girls, and that’s what a lot of this season has been for us, just having fun playing basketball.”
However, the script flipped in the second.
With the Braves ahead 29-17, Wray was forced to sit with foul trouble, allowing Alexander (7-4) to turn up its own defensive pressure. And, Macie Hubbard caught a crazy, hot hand to keep the Spartans within striking distance.
PHOTOS: Images from Logan Elm’s win over Alexander
Alexander was able to cut into the deficit with the defensive efforts of Kaylee Hudnall and Karah Allison while Lily Rider, Kayden Bean and Hubbard did the damage on the offensive end.
Hubbard knocked down five triples in the half and the Spartans, collectively, shot a sparkling 6-for-10 from beyond the 3-point line.
They also forced six turnovers over the final five minutes of the half and closed it on a 13-4 run, eroding LE’s lead to 33-30 at halftime.
The Braves, however, made the necessary defensive adjustments at the break.
Maleah Gardner and Gillian Savage teamed up to no longer allow Hubbard any more looks from beyond the arc. By cutting out the hottest shooter for the Spartans, the Braves were able to slow Alexander’s push and slowly built their lead during a tightly contested third frame.
Ingram was able to give Logan Elm a bit of separation with triples on consecutive possessions, helping her team take a 49-41 lead into the final quarter.
The fourth featured much of the same for the Braves as Ingram knocked down multiple midrange jumpers, before Wray helped ice the win from the free throw line, going 4-for-4 in the closing minutes.
“Every year has gotten better and better, and with this being my senior year, I couldn’t have imagined it starting any better,” Ingram said. “I believe we can keep this going.”
Ingram ended the night with 28 points and a team-high seven rebounds while Wray also reached double figures for the Braves, adding 16 points to the mix.
Alexander had three in double figures, led by Hubbard’s 16. Rider added 15 and Bean had 12.
Logan Elm returns to action on Tuesday at home against Hamilton Township for MSL play, while Alexander aims to rebound on Monday, hosting Meigs.
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