Plymouth presses to win over Triton
PLYMOUTH — Two teams looking for some early season identity squared off with Plymouth’s Lady Pilgrims finding a few more answers in a 53-39 win over Triton.
The Pilgrims hit the Trojans with a tenacious full-court defense that seemed to catch them slightly by surprise and forced some havoc until Triton was able to adjust at the end of the first quarter.
“We told them we wanted to avoid playing in the half court as much as possible so continue to apply defensive pressure get those transition points and then apply that pressure again,” said Plymouth coach Micaela Schalliol. “We did that tonight and it was successful. We scrambled great on the defensive end, we were just reading the ball incredibly. I’m just so proud of the girls.”
While the full-court pressure forced five first-quarter turnovers for Triton, they were able to adjust late in the frame and have enough success to cut into the Plymouth lead and force five Plymouth turnovers from late in the first through the second quarter.
Avery Viers had six first-half points to help push the Trojans but Lena Jones came alive for Plymouth to keep the Pilgrims pushing through to extend their lead to 31-17 at halftime.
“We were on the other side of that the other night,” said Schalliol. “You are definitely able to breathe a little easier when you do have that lead going into halftime, but we weren’t going to put on the breaks, you press on the gas and that’s what we did.”
Out of the locker room Plymouth picked up where they left off continuing to force the issue and extending their lead.
“Execution on both ends of the ball and that’s what we lacked against Bremen,” said Schalliol “The girls played hard. We challenged them after that Bremen game and they did exactly that (execute) the entire game.”
Jocelynn Faulkner and Addyson Viers found some success in the second half with Faulkner hitting for seven of her nine points and four rebounds in the half.
The Plymouth game plan to keep Viers from getting any comfortable touches in the paint had some success but the outstanding Triton post player still ended her night with 18 points and seven rebounds.
Rylee Mann came alive for the Pilgrims on the offensive end with 11 points and five rebounds. Jones ended with 12 points and Alan Allen came off the bench to hit eight with five rebounds and five steals.
“Rylee was successful tonight on the offensive end because she was playing to her skill set rather than shooting an outside shot or an 18-foot jumper. She was getting shots where she was comfortable, where she shoots successfully in practice and her teammates found her.
Plymouth now moves to 3-2 on the year with a game Saturday at Chesterton and Triton at 1-3 will be on the road as well Saturday at Wawasee.
•PLYMOUTH 53, TRITON 39
at Plymouth
Plymouth 16 31 48 53
Triton 7 17 27 39
Plymouth (53) — Sullivan 3 0-0 9, Jones 5 0-0 12, Miller 3 1-2 7, Gantz 2 1-2 6, Sheedy 0 0-3 0, Mann 4 3-4 11, Allen 4 0-0 8, Overmyer 0 1-2 1, Leisgang 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 6-12 53.
Triton (39) — Hawley 1 1-2 3, Faulkner 4 1-2 9, Bules 0 0-0 0, Avery Viers 2 2-3 6, King 1 0-0 3, Addy Viers 4 9-11 18. Totals 12 13-18 39.
3 Pt. FG — Plymouth 6 (Sullivan 3), Triton 2 (King, Addy Viers)
Rebounds — Plymouth 23 (Mann, Allen 5), Triton 23 (Addy Viers 7)
Assists — Plymouth 10 (Jones 3), Triton 1 (Bules).
Steals — Plymouth 14 (Allen 5), Triton 5 (Addy Viers 2)
Turnovers — Plymouth 12, Triton 11.
