After jumping out to a 6-2 lead on baskets by seniors Kaitlyn Gregory, Jenna Regan and freshman Elizabeth Snyder, Kendall struggled with Alexander’s full-court pressure to fall 39-32 in girls’ basketball.
That early advantage became a 14-6 first quarter deficit as the Eagles turned the ball over several times due to the pressure and other ball-handling errors.
Junior Brittany Marks hit a jumper to open the second quarter and Kendall later took advantage of the Trojans starting guards getting into foul trouble to begin their comeback late in the first half.
Down by nine points, Marks scored on a drive to the basket while junior Katie Pearson and freshman Alezya Brown knocked down free throws in the final minutes of the first half. A Regan put-back closed the half with the Eagles trailing by eight.
Alexander opened the second half with seven points to extend the lead to 15, but Kendall rallied as Snyder scored off an inbounds play, Regan hit three free throws and Pearson a lay-up to bring the Eagles to within 29-21 after three quarters.
Regan began the fourth quarter with a turnaround jumper to cut the Alexander lead to six, but the Trojans rebounded with a 6-2 run.
Kendall would not go away quietly, however, as Regan began yet another rally with four minutes remaining as she hit on a put-back and bank-shot to cut the lead to six with 97 seconds remaining.
Marks then hit two free throws to make it a four-point deficit before the Trojans calmly hit three-of-four free throws over the final 30 seconds to seal the win.
Regan finished with a team-best 13 points and added four rebounds and a pair of steals for the 1-2 Eagles, Marks had six rebounds to go with her eight points and two steals while Pearson was tops on the team with seven rebounds. Gregory added four rebounds and Snyder four points.
