LocalSportsjournal.com

MUSKEGON — Ludington’s girls basketball team registered its third straight win after a season-opening loss with a narrow 39-36 West Michigan Conference Lakes Division victory over Oakridge.

Defense has been the Orioles’ forte ever since Warren Stowe assumed the varsity coach’s position.

Nothing has changed this year.

While the Orioles might now have eye-popping offensive numbers, their ability to shut the other team down is producing successful results.

The visiting Orioles scored just seven points in the first quarter, but still had a three-point lead, 7-4 when the horn sounded the end of the period.

Scoring was even closer in the second quarter, but again the Orioles outscored the Eagles 11-10 and headed into the locker room with a slim 18-14 edge.

Oakridge threw a scare into the Orioles in the third quarter, with an 11-6 scoring advantage to jumping in front, 25-24. But the Orioles prevailed with a 15-11 edge in the fourth period.

Emma McKinley was the Orioles’ leading scorer with 11 points, with Jenna Skiba adding eight.

Anna Lundquist had a double-double for the Eagles with 15 points and 13 rebounds. She also had six steals, dished out two assists and had two blocks.

Katelinn Jozsa scored 10 points, had five rebounds and had two assists.

The Orioles (3-1, 2-0) visits Grand Haven at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Oakridge (1-2, 0-2) hosts Fremont in a conference game next Tuesday.