Bombardiers Ground Rockets, Attleboro 52-Needham 43

Once again it was Attleboro’s free throw shooting that helped determine the outcome of the game, with the Bombardiers shooting 16-20 and keeping Needham off the charity stripe  (7-9).

Needham opened the scoring but Attleboro’s Bri LaPlume, who has been a force inside all season, made good on both of her free throws.  Needham was successful on their free throws but a basket from behind the arc by Kim Runey put the Bombardiers in front, 5-4.  Beth Clifton made good on 1 of 2 from the charity stripe and LaPlume did the same.  A Sarah Deyo basket gave Attleboro a 4 point lead and a Needham score, as the quarter ended, found the Bombardiers in front, 9-7.

Emily Houle was fouled on an attempt inside and made the first of her 2 free throws.  Beth Clifton scored on a reverse layup and free throws by Kerri Beland, another Clifton basket and 2 more from the charity stripe, by Beland was not enough to maintain the lead for the Bombardiers.  The half ended with the Rockets holding a 22-18 advantage.

Attleboro scored the first 6 points, as the third quarter began, as LaPlume hit from inside and Clifton scored the next 2 baskets, one as the result of a steal.  Beland made good on 2 free throws and a Houle 3 put the Bombardiers back in front.  Needham knotted the score at 31 all and followed with a 3 ball.  Clifton was able to cut into the Rockets 3 point lead, as the third quarter ended with Needham up by 1.

The Rockets scored the first 5 points, as the final 8 minutes began but it was here that Beland went to work, scoring 13 of her game high 19 points.  Once again, the opposition was forced to foul and Beland was the recipient of the free throws, hitting 4-5.  The Rockets were unable to make a run and a key rebound by Deyo and the final points of the game, by Deyo, gave Attleboro their 16th win of the season.

Beland led Attleboro with a double double, scoring 19 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.  Clifton added 13 points and had 7 boards, 6 of those boards being off the offensive glass.  LaPlume continued to lead the Bombardiers in the rebound department, with 13 off the glass and contributing 9 points.  This season she has reined in 204 rebounds!

With the regular season over the Bombardiers wait for the MIAA pairings to be announced, as they go into post season play.

It was also Senior Recognition Night.  Honored were Melissa Sheehan, Karissa Hand, Bri LaPlume and Beth Clifton.  They were escorted to half court, by their parents, and were presented gifts by their teammates.