Abington lets lead slip away in loss to Episcopal Academy
ABINGTON >> Abington girls basketball coach Dan Marsh didn’t have the words for it.
After leading by seven points with 4:35 left in the fourth quarter, the Galloping Ghosts fell apart and visiting Episcopal Academy was only happy to take advantage. Still, Abington never trailed until the game’s final minute, but couldn’t stop its late game slide.
As a result, the Churchwomen won 51-45 in a non-conference matchup Monday and Abington was off to a disheartening start.
“I really don’t have answers to what happened tonight,” Marsh said. “I don’t know why we went into a funk like we did. We actually couldn’t even get anything out of (the players).”
While it looked like the Ghosts were dominating for stretches of the first half, they only led 13-9 after one and 26-20 at the half. Kassondra Brown had eight points in the first quarter and 10 by the half, but she had just two shots for the entire second half and didn’t make either of them. Likewise, Sam Brusha scored just three of her team-high 15 after the break.
Episcopal connected on four of its five 3-pointers in the second half, troublesome in that Abington kept helping off the strong side, giving any EA player down low and easy kick-out pass.
Forward Elodie Furey paced the Churchwomen with 21 points, including the go-ahead free throws with a minute left to play. The senior, who also had 13 rebounds, two steals and a block, added three assists, two of them coming on Olivia Dirks’ 3 that made it 45-43 and Luca Mamula’s game-tying hoop.
“We had played really well the first three games, we played well together,” Marsh said. “I think what hurt us tonight was our effort defensively. We didn’t have the same energy we normally have, and I don’t know why.”
Abington had opened the season 3-0 but it is still extremely early in the season. How Abington responds will be crucial, with the Ghosts taking on Suburban One League National Conference foe Neshaminy at home Tuesday and heading out to Council Rock North just before the holiday.
While Brown was quieted after halftime, Abington’s guards kept the Ghosts floating in the third quarter as Brusha, Jordyn Allen and Sam Brusha each hit a 3-pointer. Senior Lizzie O’Leary scored all seven of her points after half and five of them coming in the third quarter, which Abington led 40-35 at the end of.
O’Leary scored on an inside feed from Brown with 5:47 left in the fourth, then Allen split a pair at the line with 4:32 to stake Abington to a 45-38 lead. The Ghosts wouldn’t score again as Episcopal and Furey made their charge.
After Furey tied the game, she blocked a driving Allen and collected the rebound, getting fouled right after for the game-deciding foul shots. Still, Abington was right there, but turned the ball over on its next two possessions.
“We’re better, I think, we didn’t execute,” Marsh said. “We have to execute down the stretch. We had a chance to go ahead and tie and turned it over both times trying to force it in to Lizzie. We’re not just about Lizzie and these kids know that.”
Monday was also Abington’s spreading holiday cheer game where the team gives gifts to an area family in need. It’s something Marsh started when he was teaching in Philadelphia and has continued since coming to Abington.
The loss stung, but the message was bigger Monday.
“Our objective here is to create a quality basketball experience for our girls and tonight is a big part of it, giving back and helping somebody in need,” Marsh said. “Win or lose, tonight is always positive because we’re learning from it.
“This loss can be a learning experience too. You’re winning the whole game, you really shouldn’t lose the game. It’s December basketball and we to learn and we will learn from it.”
Episcopal Academy 51, Abington 45
Episcopal Academy 9 11 15 16 – 51
Abington 13 13 14 5 – 45
Episcopal Academy (45): Elodie Furey 7 7-9 21, Luca Mamula 4 2-2 11, Reilly Wright 2 2-5 8, Olivia Dirks 2 0-0 6, Seanna Mcnamara 1 0-0 3, Raeleen Keffer-Schrepf 0 1-2 1, Katie Weaver 0 1-2 1. Totals: 16 13-21 51
Abington: Sam Brusha 5 1-2 15, Kassondra Brown 5 0-0 10, Jordyn Allen 3 1-2 8, Lizzie O’Leary 2 3-6 7, Britney James 1 0-0 3, Tamia Wessels 1 0-0 2. Totals: 17 5-10 45
3-pointers: EA Wright 2, Mamula, Mcnamara, Dirks 2; A- Brusha 4, James, Allen
