LANTANA – Atlantic had revenge on its mind coming into last night’s game after losing the last time out on a last-second shot by Santaluces.
The Lady Eagles got off to a 4-0 start and ended the first with a 16-12 advantage over the home team. The Lady Chiefs would open the second on a surge as they took a quick 21-16 lead a little under two minutes into the second quarter.
Things were looking grim for the Lady Eagles in the second quarter as the Lady Chiefs went on a 9-0 run. But Amari Allen would come up big to help her team’s cause.
“Coach (DeLucia) put in a new play this week and we ran it after calling a timeout and we adjusted,” Allen said. “I was ready.”
Allen let loose a long three to give Atlantic a 27-24 lead with a little under three minutes left in the second.
Threes by Haedi-Marie Reid and Autumn Hennessey propelled Santaluces to a 36-33 lead going into the half with the momentum on their side.
Santaluces kept pace midway through the third with a three by Reid to be up 43-42.
At the end of the third quarter, Santaluces went up 51-49 after playing tough defense and getting tough points in the paint from Britney Chery.
Allen knocked down a three, got a steal, and scored on a fast break layup to help his team go up 64-59 with 2:41 left in the game. Another late score by Allen put the Eagles up by 68-62 with 23 seconds left in the game.
The final score would end up being 71-63 in favor of Atlantic.
Allen would comment on the team’s victory as they seen it to be a revenge to avenge their buzzer-beating loss to Santaluces at home the last time out.
“It felt good,” Allen said. “I knew we were going to have this game because we had our big back in the lineup.”
TOP PERFORMERS
Atlantic: Allen with 25 points
Santaluces: Emiah Downie with 18 points
“They did what they had to do to win tonight,” Atlantic head coach DeLucia said. “We’re headed towards the playoff and we could see them down the road (Santaluces). Our girls know we can get wins on road in tough environments, play hard, come together, and do what they need to do to win.”
