Derrick Webb, Managing Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
MINFORD — When Athens plays like it does in Monday’s first half, the Bulldogs are going to be considerably dangerous.
Led by a barrage of baskets from several different scorers, Athens (2-0) seized a 19-point lead at halftime and rode the advantage to a 55-45 victory over Minford in non-conference play.
“We want them to be super aggressive,” Athens coach Phil Koska said. “We wanted to attack the paint. The last game we played, we had 44 points in the paint. I want to keep that going. I figured if we worked the inside-out, it would work in our favor.”
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
In the first half, the Bulldogs had success from, well, everywhere.
A balanced effort paced Athens to a 22-12 lead after the first quarter, one that was powered by a 10-0 run midway through.
Because of the Bulldogs’ speed on the defensive end, Minford’s passing lanes were constantly clogged, leading to turnovers and, in turn, leading to easy transition buckets.
“We’re loaded with guards, so we definitely want to stay aggressive going downhill,” Koska said. “That’s why I like getting into the paint. We can shoot 3’s. I’m just not a big fan of them. I want to use our speed, push the ball in transition and get lay-ups off of steals. We did an OK job of that tonight. We’ve got some things to fix, obviously. But we’re getting better.”
After Minford (0-2) cut the deficit to 25-16 with 5:07 left in the second, Athens’ Ella Chapman and Quinn Banks went to work.
By halftime, the duo had combined for 20 points while Banks had buried four triples. Their performance, alongside contributions from four other scorers — Olivia Smart, Asa Holcombe, Brystol Stump and Alexis Koopal — led to a 37-18 edge at the break.
Minford battled back in the second half, though.
Led by efforts from Lindsee Williams, Maggie Risner and Lexi Conkel, the Falcons continued to chip away. By the time the 1:32 mark in the third quarter came around, Minford had cut Athens’ lead to 44-35.
PHOTOS: Images from Athens’ win at Minford
“It was important [to get an early lead], but it was also important when we came back after losing it, and kept our composure,” Banks said. “We played as a team still and played calm. Getting that jump on them was the confidence we needed, but when we lost it, we just had to make sure we still played as a team.”
With 2:24 left in regulation, Minford called a timeout. The Falcons had cut the deficit to 50-43. But that was as close as they’d get.
That score was still intact with under a minute to play and, from there, Chapman put the win on ice at the free throw line.
“She’s awesome. She’s all over the place,” Koska said of Chapman, a junior. “She plays defense really well and she seems to be our bulldog. She doesn’t back down from anybody. She’ll even guard the post. I saw her get two offensive rebounds tonight where she out-jumped [Minford’s] post player. I’m just super proud of her.”
Statistically, Chapman ended the night with 14 points and four rebounds while Banks had a team-high 15 points. Holcombe also chipped in with eight points, six rebounds and five assists, and Smart added seven points and six assists.
Minford was led by Williams, who scored 15 points and pulled down 23 rebounds, while Conkel added nine points and three helpers.
The Falcons will now continue their search for a first win on Monday with a home date against North Adams. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs will be back in action on Thursday with a trip to Bloom-Carroll.
“We want to be able to control the games better at the end,” Koska said. “We need to shut our opponents down near the three-minute mark. That’s where we want to make sure the game is over. It’s tough to do. But it’s what we need to do.”
BOX SCORE
Athens: 22-15-10-8 — 55
Minford: 12-6-19-8 — 45
Athens: 18-49 FG, 13-19 FT, 6-21 3pt., 28 rebounds (Holcombe 6, Smart 6), 12 turnovers, 10 assists (Holcombe 5). Scoring: Banks 14, Chapman 14, Holcombe 8, Smart 7, Stump 7, Koopal 5.
Minford: 17-67 FG, 10-18 FT, 1-16 3pt., 37 rebounds (Williams 23), 14 turnovers, 9 assists (Conkel 3). Scoring: Williams 15, Conkel 9, M. Pendleton 7, Risner 6, Howard 4, Hammonds 2, Davis 2.
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