Lansdale Catholic pulls away from Hallahan in PCL 1st round

LANSDALE >> Lansdale Catholic was down 14-8 early, and then came the run.

Lauren Crim started hitting threes, Kim Talley was blocking shots underneath, and the Crusaders’ defense swarmed to the basketball, creating turnovers and easy baskets as part of a 17-0 second-quarter run.

Lansdale Catholic would go on to outscore overwhelmed Hallahan 30-4 in the second quarter, on the way to a 67-32 victory over the Musketeers in a Philadelphia Catholic League first-round playoff game at LC Tuesday night.

“We all kind of realized that this could be our last home game, especially for the seniors, and we just wanted to come out strong,” Talley, a senior, said of LC taking the game over in the second quarter. “We were all getting pretty hyped (on the defensive end). It was sad to think this could be our last home game, but I think it motivated us.”

The win sends the Crusaders (10-12) to rival Cardinal O’Hara Thursday night, while Hallahan closed out its season 7-14.

Crim got the Crusaders going, scoring nine points in the second quarter and finding Abby Ward for a three-point play on a fast break, pushing LC in front for good, 17-14.

A three by Crim stretched the margin to 20-14 moments later, and LC was on its way.

Brady Wassel and Talley were dominating underneath, combining for 13 points in the first half.

Nya Searight’s seven first-quarter points propelled Hallahan to an early 12-8 lead, a lead that would grow to 14-8 early in the second on a basket by Lillian Betteridge.

But on came LC, led by Talley’s team-high 17 points and staunch defense underneath.

“We’ve really been working on playing like a team,” Talley said of the Crusaders, who got points from a dozen different players, “and I think that kind of showed up tonight.”

With the game well under control in the fourth, LC’s evening finished up with reserves like Lindsay Rock hitting a three and Megan Maloney scoring on a fast break.

“I think this game was a good confidence booster,” Talley said. “We’re going in (to Thursday) confidence, but we have to get everybody involved and make some plays. And go in with a positive attitude.”

Dejah Alston-Dupree had a nice offensive night for the Musketeers, hitting four threes as part of a game-high 18-point performance.