The Ansonia girls basketball team saw its perfect start on the season come to an end when Bunnell of Stratford went on a fourth period run to pull away with a 51 – 39 win on Thursday.
The 2 – 0 Chargers were playing in its first out of league game in almost twenty years thanks to the additions of St. Paul and Derby to the NVL this season. Bunnell 1 – 1 of the South West Conference proved to be a worthy adversary as the two teams battled through three period tied going into the final eight minutes of the game.
Foul trouble spelled the difference and the Bunnell Bulldogs inside game caught fire to pull away. Isende Milfort 17 points, six rebounds, two blocks teamed up with Sha’quira Palmer 11 points, eight rebounds, two blocks leading the Bulldogs to victory in a 22 – 10 fourth period advantage.
“Early on their outside shooting was keeping them in the game,” said Ansonia head coach Patrick Lynch.
“We got into foul trouble in the fourth period and they exploited the inside game and it let them pull away.”
“Playing a team like Bunnell will help us get ready for the challenges we face in the NVL this season.”
Kristin Mooney scored five of her team high 16 points in the opening period and her six rebounds and four assists kept Ansonia close. The senior co-captain buried a three at the 2:01 mark and her slashing drive through the paint had the Chargers trailing by a 13 – 10 deficit heading into the second period.
Nicole Kachoulas drained a three and Rebecca Behrendt (five rebounds) hit a turn around jumper in the lane for the Chargers third lead of the half. Taylor Kulhavik scored on a jumper from the corner to tie the game for the Bulldogs at 22 – 22 heading into the second half.
Bunnell got a little distance opening a 20 – 14 advantage until Kachoulas stepped behind the arc burying a three to close the gap at 20 – 18. Maria Darling, Tierney Lawler and Catherine Devellis (six points) helped to forge a 22 – 22 tie at the break.
Jessica Mooney came on in the third period to provide a little defensive presence and hold the Bulldogs outside shooters in check. Devellis scored on a turn around jumper in the lane to give Ansonia its final lead of the game at 29 – 27 with 1:23 to go in the period.
The teams were tied at 29 – 29 heading into the final period when Behrendt (six rebounds) was forced to the bench with foul trouble. That opened up the inside game for the Bulldogs and they took off on a run.
By the time Kachoulas hit a runner in the corner off an assist from Jeanne Whalen the Chargers were chasing a 38 – 31 deficit. Milfort and Palmer continued to handle the inside for Bunnell as the lead swelled to 47 – 32 and it was getting away from the Chargers.
Whalen popped in a three to try and stem the tide but it was too little too late as Ansonia fell to 2 – 1 on the season and will have to regroup quickly as they face Derby on Friday at 7 p.m.
