LINDEN – A big fourth quarter was the difference in North Montgomery’s girls basketball team’s 29-17 win over Riverton Parke.
After scoring 16 points in the first three quarters, the Chargers, who move to 2-0 with the win, dropped 13 on the scoreboard, including the last eight, to distance themselves from the Panthers, who drop to 0-2 on the season.
The difference was on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor, as North limited Riverton Parke to only a single fourth-quarter field goal while going 5-of-8 from the floor.
“The offense was not quite clicking,” Chargers coach Ryan Nuppnau said, “so the defense had to. Our defense let us stay in the game. We missed a couple of easy shots, but we played hard-nosed defense and that comes down to attitude.”
The Chargers also owned a 43-33 rebound advantage and blocked seven shots.
Finishing all four quarters strong, the home team overcame deficits in the first three periods and then stretched the lead throughout the fourth.
After a strong second half in the season-opening win over Frontier, the Chargers relied on all hands to pick up win No. 2.
McKenzie Schroeder hit a bucket in each quarter and added a free throw to lead her squad with nine points, but it was the 14 rebounds, two blocks and an assist that got the coach’s attention.
“It was nice to see McKenzie get comfortable in her position,” Nuppnau noted of the 6-3 junior. “I had to give her a little tough love at halftime, but she is a tough girl who is only going to get better and better.”
Madi Welch scored six of her eight points in that final quarter, including a 3-pointer to open the period. It was North’s only trey of the game and made it a five-point lead.
“Madi really picked it up in the second half,” Nuppnau said of the junior guard, noting her 3-of-3 night at the line.
Lydia Dugard had two buckets in the fourth and finished with six, and was second-best for North with eight rebounds. The junior added three blocks, two steals and an assist to her list.
“Riverton Parke came out of their zone in the fourth quarter and we really capitalized on it,” Nuppnau said, noting that the Chargers had four paint buckets in those eight minutes. “The momentum of our offense carried over to the defense.”
The Panthers, who lost their season-opener to Cloverdale Tuesday and had an open slot when North’s regularly scheduled game with Park Heritage was postponed Wednesday, could manage only a 6-of-47 shooting night. They were 2-of-11 from long range and 3-of-7 from the line.
They were led in scoring by Kaylee Mathas and Alyssa Fellows with four points each. Caeden Bennett had nine rebounds.
The Chargers were 11-of-38 from the field, 1-of-2 from deep and 6-of-10 from the line.
The Panthers had 17 turnovers and the Chargers had 22, but Nuppnau saw things he liked.
“We handled the press much better tonight,” he said, noting 23 turnovers Tuesday, mostly against the full-court pressure, while most against RP were while running the offense. “We made some good adjustments, and we didn’t get rattled, which was good to see. I’m really proud of the girl’s effort tonight. We are learning and getting the hang of it. We had a really good second half both Tuesday and tonight.”
The Panthers have a scheduled game on Nov. 12 against Parke Heritage, and will face both Southmont and Crawfordsville in January.
The Chargers are back in action Monday with a home game against Park Tudor.
