Evening Sun File Photo

B-G edged by GMU in Tip-Off Championship

SHERBURNE – In their first game of the 2019-2020 season, Sherburne-Earlville nearly completed a late-game comeback against Waterville but the home team fell 56-45 Monday night.

With two minutes left, the Lady Marauders trailed by just six points after Jaci Wright made a corner jump shot. However, with S-E putting the full court press on to cause chaos for their opponent, Waterville was able to get down the floor and score a couple of quick easy buckets to grow their lead in the end.

The Lady Marauders held a 14-13 lead after the first but their offense stalled in both of the second and third quarters and relied heavily on the shoulders of Junior Tessa Cole.

Cole, who scored a game-high and career best 25 points in Monday’s loss, tallied all 14 points of the middle stanzas for the home team. The junior went 6-for-6 from the free-throw line and had three made 3-point baskets throughout the game but Waterville’s offense on the inside was too much for the under-sized Marauders.

Leading the way for the visiting team was forward Natalee Collins, scoring 18 points with most of the damage done at the rim, and Janelle Cleary finishing with 15 points – 12 coming from long range.

Sherburne-Earlville also had offensive contributions from Wright, who tallied nine points in the loss, and Elizabeth Peila’s eight points scored.