Schools
Bombardiers Takes the Sting out of Hornets
The Attleboro girls win their second straight with a 41-30 victory over Mansfield.
Mansfield took an early 8-0 lead on its home court and Attleboro didn't get on the scoreboard until there was 1:18 remaining in the first quarter (a shot from behind the arc by Kim Runey). Although the game did not begin well for Attleboro on Friday, it ended just fine with the Bombardiers winning 41-30.
Freshman Emily Houle followed Runey's score with a basket and the period ended with Attleboro on the short end of a 12-5 score.
In the early going of the second eight-minute segment, Bri LaPlume made good on 1 of 2 from the charity stripe. Runey stood firm and took a charge, and followed up with her second 3-pointer of the night. With Beth Clifton getting in early foul trouble, LaPlume went to work from the free-throw line, hitting on 3 of her next 4 attempts. Kirsten Terrien was successful on her 2 free throws and Sara Blackwell scored from inside, to end the first half with the Mansfield's lead cut to 20-16.
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In the opening minutes of the second half, Runey hit 1 of 2 free throws and Clifton, back in the game with three fouls, had a put-back. Baskets by LaPlume, Kerry Beland and a 3 by Runey gave the Bombardiers their first lead of the game. They never relinquished that advantage. Clifton scored again, as the quarter was about to end, and Attleboro took a 28-22 lead into the final stanza.
Two hoops by Clifton and a successful shot by Terrien kept Attleboro in the driver's seat. With 2:01 remaining in the game, Mansfield was forced to foul and it was here the girls in blue went to work, scoring on 7-10 from the free throw line. Clifton put together a string of four successful free throws. Beland hit 2-4 and Kim Runey, 1-2.
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The victory was the second in a row for Attleboro and improved the team's record to 9-5.
Kirsten Terrien was a strong presence on defense. With Attleboro playing a box and one, Terrien's tough defense shut down Mansfield's long-range shooter Gina Stoyle. Clifton led the Bombardiers with 12 points and 11 rebounds. LaPlume pulled down 10 rebounds.
Attleboro's free-throw shooting (14-22) and strong presence under the boards, out rebounding the Hornets, 41-30, was a key factor in the victory.
The Bombardiers will host North Attleboro on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
The AHS freshmen were on the short end of a 53-40 score. The junior varsity team also lost, 34-18.
