Behind a suffocating defense and a balanced offense, the Brandywine girls basketball team overwhelmed Bridgman, 71-13, in B.C.S. Athletic Conference West Division action on Friday.

It’s the 54th straight conference win for the Bobcats, who improved to 2-0.

Brandywine jumped out to a 20-0 first quarter lead and led 50-6 at halftime, which made the teams play under a mercy-rule running clock in the second half.

“I liked our effort,” said Brandywine girls basketball coach Josh Hood. “Our effort is getting better. During the first couple of weeks we weren’t really satisfied with our effort, but I think we’re improving in that area.”

Makenna Hartline scored 13 points, Alyssa Bolen added 12, Jaleesa Garner had 11 and Brooke Smith totaled nine for the Bobcats. Makenna also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.

“I like our unselfishness,” Hood said. “We want teams to throw gimmicks (on defense) against us. We always put five capable scorers on the court. We’ve got nine players on varsity and all nine play a lot. The girls that weren’t being guarded as close in the triangle-and-two knocked a lot of shots down. I thought Alyssa Bolen had a heck of a game for us off the bench. She provided us with a spark.”

Brandywine’s fullcourt and man-to-man pressure defense forced Bridgman into 38 turnovers. The Bobcats had 23 steals with Makenna Hartline and Michaela Hartline each totaling five steals.

“We’re getting better everyday,” Hood said. “Our girls know what’s at stake next week (Friday against Buchanan). We have a lot to improve on. It’s early in the season.”

BRANDYWINE 71, BRIDGMAN 13

BRIDGMAN 13

Madelynne Keller 0, Jordan Jones 0, Julie Jasper 2, Becca Stemm 2, Brooke Janes 0, Ashley Crowder 4, Jasmine Jones 2, Rebeka Enders 3, Alex Ansinn 0. TOTALS: 5 3-6 13

BRANDYWINE 71

Makenna Hartline 13, Jaleesa Garner 11, Michaela Hartline 5, Emily Erwin 6, Brooke Smith 9, Rachael Szilagyi 5, Alyssa Bolen 12, Makena Bowen 5, Mia Stella 5. TOTALS: 23 16-23 71

 

Bridgman                   2          6          9          13

Brandywine               27       50       62        71

3-point goals: Bridgman (none), Brandywine 9 (Bolen 3, Erwin 2, Garner, Michaela Hartline, Smith, Bowen). Total fouls (fouled out): Bridgman 15 (none), Brandywine 12 (none). Shooting: Bridgman 5-of-14 for 36-percent, Brandywine 23-of-56 for 41-percent. Rebounding: Brandywine 22 (Makenna Hartline 7), Bridgman 13 (Jordan Jones 3). Turnovers: Bridgman 38, Brandywine 7. Records: Bridgman 1-1, Brandywin 2-0