After a split weekend at the Hyatt Tournament, the Belles basketball team took a tremendously close 75-74 win over the Franklin Grizzlies this past Wednesday.
Off to a quick start in the first quarter, senior forward Julia Schutz made the first basket ahead of a jump shot from junior guard Nicole Connolly, a jump shot from freshman guard Kate Passinault and a three-point shot from sophomore guard Kate Restovich to move the Belles ahead at 9-0. While Franklin put up five points in response, Restovich added on two more three-point shots before two free throws from Passinault made the score 17-5. After a Franklin three-pointer, a foul on the Grizzlies allowed freshman guard Ella Notaro to put in two free throws. Closely following, Restovich added on a layup to make the score 21-8. Franklin finished the quarter with five straight points to make the score 21-13.
In the second quarter, Notaro started off with four points for the Belles along with sophomore guard Annie Restovich, who added a layup. Kate Restovich then made a free throw, bringing the score to 28-13 before eight points from Franklin made it 28-21. Passinault responded with a jump shot, a layup and a free throw, Kate Restovich added a layup and two three-point shots, Connolly added on a free throw and Annie Restovich added on a layup to make the score 44-21. Franklin finished the second quarter with a three-point shot to make the score 44-24 at halftime.
The Belles scored the first points of the third quarter as Schutz put in a layup before Franklin responded with six points to make the score 46-30, but Schutz kept going, putting in five more points to bring the score to 51-30. While Franklin put up seven more points, Notaro added two points and Kate Restovich added a layup to bring the score to 55-37. Franklin added on six points, but the Belles quickly responded with Passinault adding on two points, Annie Restovich adding another two points and senior guard Lauren Gumma added on two points to bring the score to 61-45. Five points from the Grizzlies made the score 61-50, but Annie Restovich finished out the third quarter with a three-point shot to make the score 64-50.
The Grizzlies started off the fourth quarter strong, scoring 20 straight points off the bat to take a 70-64 lead. Despite this big run, two points from Notaro, two from Schutz and two from Kate Restovich brought the score to 73-70 in favor of the Belles. But Franklin fought back, putting two layups in to make the score 74-73. As the teams fought back and forth with the ball throughout the remainder of the quarter, Connolly saved the day with a buzzer-beating layup to help the Belles gain the 75-74 win.
Overall, Kate Restovich led on offense for the Belles as she finished the night with a total of 24 points. Schutz and Passinault both shined on the court as well, grabbing eight rebounds for the Belles.
The Belles next game will take place in Illinois as they face off against Benedictine on Nov. 23 at 2 p.m.
