For The Dialog
CLAYMONT – Archmere used a 15-0 fourth-quarter run to complete its 50-41 comeback win over Delaware Military Academy in Diamond State Athletic Conference girls basketball on Feb. 16. The win gives the Auks the DSAC title and an automatic berth in the state basketball tournament.
DMA led, 33-32, going into the fourth quarter and extended the lead to three on a field goal by Bridget McLaughlin. That is when the Auks took charge. Danaziah Brown scored on a layup and followed with a three-pointer to give Archmere its first lead at 37-35. Maggie Malloy took over from there, scoring the next 10 points as the lead grew to 47-35.
Archmere coach Dan Pisani about how his leaders took over in that quarter. “Brown got them started, and Malloy took over when DMA took away Brown.”
The Auks also played defense, holding the Seahawks to 14 second-half points and limiting their open looks.
It was a different story in the first half, as DMA jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead behind Lindsay Wolfe and a deep three-pointer by Hannah Garbowski. Garbowski wasn’t done, hitting another long triple to make it 11-3.
The Auks tried to chip away, led by Amanda Denning, who scored back-to-back field goals to cut the lead to 13-6. McLaughlin scored at the buzzer to give DMA a 17-7 lead at the end of one quarter.
The Seahawks scored the first four points to grab their largest advantage at 21-7. Archmere ended the half by outscoring DMA, 12-6, incuding five of six from the free throw line and a three-pointer by Camryn Howarth.
Pisani said, “DMA shot the lights out in the first half, and we were hoping our defense would slow them down.”
Archmere did, starting the second half on an 8-0 run to tie the game at 27. That run included a pair of layups by Brown and another by Malloy.
Brown and Malloy each finished with 12 points, while Brown added 11 rebounds and three assists and three steals. Archmere improved to 12-7 and finishes the regular season at home on Thursday, hosting A.I. DuPont at 6:15 p.m.
McLaughlin led the Seahawks with 10 points, while Garbowski added eight. DMA is 9-9 and travels to St. Elizabeth on Thursday night for a 6:45 tip.
