Bethlehem Academy Girls Pull Away From Cleveland

The Bethlehem Academy Cardinals girls basketball team came from behind to defeat the Cleveland Clippers 50-39 tonight at Van Orsow Auditorium.  Sophomore Mercedes Huerta and freshman Kate Trump combined for 29 of the Cardinals points.

Huerta had 16 points with a couple three point baskets, Trump had 13 points and buried 3 threes in the game.  The Cardinals started the game up 5-0 forcing a few Clippers turnovers.  In fact the first shot attempt by Cleveland came at the 15:15 mark of the first half.

Bethlehem Academy had a 12-2 lead and looked like they were going to cruise to victory but Cleveland got some BA turnovers, took over the rebounding battle and went on a tear to take a 23-11 lead with 2:44 to go in the half.  The final 2:44 the Cardinals outscored the Clippers 7-1 with the halftime score 24-18.

The main reason Cleveland had the lead was turnovers and poor free throw shooting.  In the first half my unofficial statistics had Cleveland with 10 turnovers and Bethlehem Academy 9.  The Clippers scored 11 points and Cardinals 9 points off turnovers in the first half.

For the game Bethlehem Acadmy left 11 points at the free throw line while Cleveland missed just one charity toss going 6 for 7.  Junior Macy Ziebarth was the only Clipper in double figures with 19 points.

The Cardinals did a much better job prizing the basketball in the second half while continuing to convert Clippers turnovers into points.   Cleveland falls to 1-5 and has Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman/Minnesota Lutheran at home Friday night.

Bethlehem Academy is now 2-6 and hosts Maple River Friday with the varsity game starting at 7:15 p.m.  The Cardinals boys are at Maple RIver.