Upper Dublin turns up the tempo, beats rival Wissahickon

UPPER DUBLIN >> Upper Dublin turned up the tempo and sprinted to a 53-31 victory over rival Wissahickon Tuesday night.

“That was the game plan – to come out at a fast pace,” said Colleen Besachio, who poured in a game-high 28 points for the Cardinals. “We wanted a high pace the whole game – every single quarter. Whether we’re losing or winning – play at a high pace the whole time.”

The Cardinals put together a complete game on their home court and raised their record to 3-1, including a 2-0 mark in the Suburban One League Liberty Division.

Wiss, led by Kaitlyn McGeary’s 10 points and nine by Kylie Friedman, is now 0-2 in the Liberty.

Besachio was particularly sharp for the Cardinals, draining five 3-pointers and helping to push Upper Dublin to a 26-9 lead by the break.

“I was happy my shot was falling and I felt really confident,” the freshman forward said. “I think everyone created good looks for everybody else.”

Upper Dublin was in such command that the running clock kicked in by the third quarter.

Eight players scored for the Cardinals, including Megan Ngo with nine. Ngo hit a trio of threes for the Cards.

“(Freshman) Megan and I have been playing together since third grade and playing with the other three starters has been such a fun experience,” Besachio said. “I’m really enjoying it.”

The Cardinals are getting more and more familiar with each other and connecting on the court. They want to keep strengthening that bond over the coming weeks.

“I think if we keep playing together, we’ll be in a great spot,” Besachio said. “We have to keep executing our plays and going at the high pace that we’re used to playing at.”

Both squads now hit the road – Upper Dublin is at Plymouth Whitemarsh next Tuesday and Wiss is at Quakertown Friday.

Upper Dublin 53, Wissahickon 31
Wissahickon 4 5 4 18 – 31
Upper Dublin 13 13 21 6 – 53
Wissahickon: Eva Schools 1 2-2 4, Kaitlyn McGeary 5 0-2 10, Julia Lettieri 1 2-4 4, Kylie Friedman 3 1-2 9, Chloe Acuna 1 0-0 2, Claira Baldasano 1 0-0 2. Totals 12 5-9 31.
Upper Dublin: Brighid Brady 2 0-0 4, Alaina Sanders 2 0-0 4, Makyla Keyes 1 0-0 2, Kaylee Fitzkee 1 0-0 2, Megan Ngo 3 3-3 9, Sofia Machado 0 1-2 1, Maisie McGarvey 1 0-0 3, Colleen Besachio 11 1-2 28. Totals 21 5-7 53.
3-pointers: W-Friedman 2; UD-McGarvey, Besachio 5.