GPS freshman Chaddaryl Clay got her first taste of the Bruisers’ rivalry with Baylor on Thursday, and in the third quarter she learned what kind of intensity to expect from coach Susan Crownover during those games.
The Bruisers had their 15-point halftime lead trimmed to six when the Division II East rivals met in the first round of the Times Free Press Best of Preps tournament at Arts & Sciences, but they held on for a 58-48 victory. GPS will face host CSAS in a semifinal game today at 1 p.m.
“We thought since we were ahead we could lay off, but it came back to haunt us,” Clay said. “Then our coach started to yell, and we started to do better.”
A 3-pointer from Amber Howard got Baylor within 32-26 with 1:13 remaining in the third period, but Clay responded with seven straight points for GPS, including a 3 to open the fourth period. She scored 11 of her game-high 25 points in the fourth quarter as the Bruisers rebuilt their lead.
“We played about as well as we could have played in the first half,” Crownover said. “When they turned up the pressure in the second half, we didn’t respond early enough and let them back in the game. But after we adjusted, we were able to push the lead back to 10.”
Lauren Lawrence added 14 points for GPS (4-1), which got contributions from three freshmen.
“We’re young and it’s still early for us,” Crownover said. “I’m disappointed that we didn’t respond a little better in the third quarter, but I’m happy with how hard we played. It’s a win over Baylor, and we’ll take that any time.”
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