LocalSportsJournal.com
FREMONT — Grant bombed away from beyond the 3-point line to take an early lead on Fremont, and kept the Packers at arm’s length the rest of the game in forging a 67-48 win at Fremont Tuesday night.
The Packers played a solid first quarter offensively, effectively breaking down the Grant press and converting on the offensive end.
But, they only managed 11 points in the first eight minutes and that was not nearly enough to offset the six 3-point baskets made by the visiting Tigers which meant for a 20-11 Grant lead after one.
Grant then used a 21-6 scoring advantage in the second quarter to extend its lead to 41-17 at the half. The Tigers outscored the Packers, 12-6 in the third and led, 68-23 going into the fourth quarter. Fremont outscored the Tigers, 25-14 in the final period.
“Credit to Grant for their sharpshooting in the first half,” Fremont coach Wes Zerlaut said. “We did not close out and contest well enough on the perimeter, and they made us pay for it by making the open shots.
“We competed much better in the second half, due to an increased collective effort, but we have to find a way to bring that effort for the entire game in order to be competitive.”
The Tigers finished the game with nine made 3-point baskets, eight in the first half.
Jaycee Rider and Julie Ashbaugh each scored 20 points to lead Grant. Rider accounted for six 3-point baskets.
Fremont was led by Haley Zerlaut’s 18 points and four assists. Scoring eight points apiece for the Packers were Jessica Bennett and Lily VandenBerg, while Khaila Noordyk pulled down 11 rebounds.
The Packers, which dropped to 1-7 overall and 1-3 in the Central State Activities Conference-Gold, is next scheduled to travel to Tri-County on Friday, Jan. 14. The Tigers will travel to Newaygo on Friday evening.
