Gwynedd Mercy wins fifth straight, shuts down North Penn

TOWAMENCIN >> Gwynedd Mercy’s defense got things going the other way.
“We had to really push the ball in transition and we were able to really spark our shooting and our drives,” said GMA guard Sarah White, “which really opened things up.
“Because once we make one, we have confidence that we can make the rest.”
The Monarchs dug out of an early 10-1 hole and went on to win 53-32 over North Penn in a non-league contest Saturday afternoon.
“This is our fifth win in a row and we have a lot of games coming up,” said White, who played a solid, all-around game and had nine points in the victory. “I’m really confident in what we’re gonna do.”
Carly Bachinsky was a force inside for GMA (12-6) and had a game-high 13 points. Reganne Flannery hit a trio of threes and added 11, and the Monarchs allowed only two fourth-quarter field goals in locking things down.
“We brought the energy, communicated, and got out on their shooters,” White said.
The transition game led to an open three by Flannery, extending the Monarch lead to 27-20 early in the third. Alyssa Martin hit a jumper, as did White, and another three by Flannery produced a 34-23 advantage.
“We’re all able to shoot the three ball and we always look for that extra pass,” White said, “which leaves things wide open. We have a lot of confidence in each other.”
Back-to-back layins by Bachinsky widened the gap to 42-25 in the opening moments of the fourth and another three by Flannery in transition had the lead at 20.
“Gwynedd is a well-coached team. They’re gonna be scrappy, and any mistake we made, they capitalized on,” Knights coach Jen Carangi said. “And that’s what’s gonna happen when you play against good teams.”
The first quarter saw a big run by each team.
North Penn (7-11) jumped out to its 10-1 lead, thanks to baskets by Val McGriff and Carley Adams and threes by Alaina Mullaly and Alli Lindsay (8 pts).
Gwynedd Mercy countered, putting together a 10-0 stretch, with reserve Bianca Coleman hitting a pair of threes and Kaylie Griffin and White finding their shots.
The Monarchs led 13-12 after one and went ahead 16-14 early in the second when White got a three to drop.
Gwynedd maintained the lead throughout a tightly-contested second quarter, keyed by a pair of buckets by Griffin. The Monarchs took a 22-18 advantage into the break and would tighten their grip on the game after intermission.