Published: February 19, 2008 09:47 am         

No. 4 Northern takes down Mountain Ridge, 74-56

ACCIDENT - Megan Wiley returned to the lineup to score 20 points and No. 4 Northern turned up the defensive pressure when needed to pull away from Mountain Ridge Monday evening at Northern High School.

After the Miners took a 15-9 lead into the second period, the Huskies turned to a trapping zone defense that forced turnovers leading to a 22-8 run and a 31-23 halftime lead.

In the second half, Northern took a 10-point, 53-43 advantage into the fourth period when Mountain Ridge scored the next six points to trail by four, 53-49. The Huskies pressured again, outscoring the Miners 21-7 for the 18-point victory.

Wiley had 16 buckets and was 4-of-5 from the line. She was one of four Huskies to score in double figures. Kaitlynn Fratz finished with 15, Justine Harvey had 13 and Danielle Brenneman finished with 11. Harvey had eight rebounds, Adria Graham led the team with five steals and Fratz had five assists.

Mountain Ridge (11-9) was led by Danielle McGinnis's 20 points on 10 baskets. Jenna Delaney scored 14 and Madi Nightengale finished with 11. Holly Williams had nine. Delaney and McGinnis each had seven rebounds.

Erin Lewis scored 13 points to lead Mountain Ridge over Northern 44-37 in the junior varsity game. Tara McKenzie led the Huskies with 13 points and Morgan Brosnihan had 11.

Northern (14-5 overall, 7-5 Appalachian Mountain Athletic Conference) visits Fort Hill and the Miners (6-7 AMAC) host Allegany Wednesday.