Sharks close out rough week with league win
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

SCRAMBLE - Amherst Central's Elana Korn beats Pioneer's Erin Asquith for a loose ball during the Lady Tigers' 69-40 loss last Thursday at home. Amherst fell to 6-6 in ECIC Division II, 11-7 overall. Photo by Joe Eberle Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

It was not a good week for the Sacred Heart girls basketball team.

After losing last Monday to Mount Mercy, Sacred Heart fell at Nichols, 62-53, last Thursday.

Down, 51-48, with three minutes to play in the fourth, the Sharks missed the front end of a one-and-one, two foul shots and couldn't convert on a possession.

"We had the opportunity of a lifetime and we didn't take advantage," said Sacred Heart coach Sister Maria Pares. "That would have helped."

Nichols led, 34-28, at halftime.

Hayley Pickett led Sacred Heart with 16 points, including 8 of 9 from the free throw line, three rebounds and one assist.

Natalie Coppola added 12 points, three rebounds and three assists. Krystal Watson scored six points and eight rebounds. Alycia Pontello tallied seven points.

Meghan Dougherty led Nichols with 16 points. She reached 1,000 career points in the game.

Brianna Smith added 13 points.

The Sharks closed out the week with a 47-34 win at Holy Angels on Saturday.

Sacred Heart was up, 16-13, at halftime.

"We made four field goals in the first half," said Pares. "We were playing like we had lead feet."

Pares switched defense from a match-up zone to a straight man-to-man in the second half and her team responded.

"Everyone got going," said Pares.

Kacey Bougard, starting for an injured Sam Arena, led the Sharks with 16 points, four rebounds and three assists. Watson added 15 points, eight rebounds, five steals, and two assists.

Kristen Hall paced Holy Angels with 18 points.

Sacred Heart (15-6, 8-3), ranked tied for sixth among Western New York large schools, played Nardin at Daemen College on Tuesday but the result was unavailable before The Bee went to press. The Sharks close out the regular season hosting St. Mary's of Lancaster at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.