Dialog reportrer
WILMINGTON – Caroline Manfre scored 22 points to lead Archbishop Prendergast (Pa.) past Padua, 44-34, in the Pandas’ season opener Wednesday night.
Seniors Meg Mallon and Mackenzie Scully provided the offensive bright spots, scoring 18 and eight points, respectively. But the Pandas, playing with a smaller lineup than they have used the past few years, struggled to score for much of the night, particularly in the third quarter, most of which Mallon missed because of foul trouble. They battled Prendie tough on the boards, but the visitors controlled the rebounding most of the time.
Despite their challenges, the hosts led at the half, 17-16, although there were signs of distress even as they took the lead. The Pandas trailed, 10-9, after the first quarter, but went ahead on field goals early in the second by Mallon and Scully. They scored just four points the rest of the half, however, and the scoring drought lasted deep into the third quarter until sophomore Bella Julian nailed a three-pointer with two minutes to go.
During that approximate 12 minutes of game time, Prendie turned a I7-13 deficit into a 14-point lead. Led by Manfre and Princess Clemons, Archbishop Prendergast – whose nickname also is the Pandas—went on an 18-point run. During that streak, Maggie McPeak hit two free throws to make it 18-17, a lead they would not give up.
The lead was again 14 at 39-25 when Mallon scored three points the old-fashioned way, and Scully drained a triple to bring Padua back to within eight. But that was the closest they would get.
Padua (0-1) continues with the out-of state competition in its next game, which is this Saturday at 11:30 a.m. against Bishop Ireton (Va.). The game, which will be played at St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C., is part of the She Got Game Classic.
