GIRLS BASKETBALL: Streaks pull away from Ross in second half for GBC win

Sandusky stumbled and struggled in the first half Thursday night at Fremont Ross, but the Blue Streaks used the intermission to gather themselves and finish strong for a 49-37 victory.

“We came out and weren’t very aggressive, and they took advantage of that in the first half,” Sandusky coach Nic Venerucci said. “The second half was a different story.”

The Streaks used a stout defensive effort in the third quarter to overpower the Little Giants. Sandusky trailed by two at the half, 25-23, and came out of halftime looking to attack the basket.

Sandusky attacked the basket, and it paid off, resulting in eight fouls drawn in the quarter. The Streaks dialed up their defense and limited Ross to only four points in the quarter, taking a 37-29 heading into the fourth.

Ross could not get within eight points in the fourth quarter before it resorted to fouling at the end of the game.

Cara Croom led the Streaks with 14 points, and Brianna Crowe added 13. 

The Sandusky defense forced the Giants into 26 turnovers in the game. 

Ross coach Juana Vela said he saw improvement in the Giants, who lost to the Streaks 79-28 in mid-December.

“We lost to these guys by (51) earlier in the year,” Vela said. “Tonight we lost by 12, and it was an eight-point game for most of the fourth quarter. Our turnovers are down from earlier in the season, and that’s a step in the right direction.”