With a 15-4 spurt in the second quarter, the Southland girls basketball team gained a 28-14 advantage over Lyle/Pacelli Thursday night and grabbed a 47-33 victory.

Friday, February 16, 2001

With a 15-4 spurt in the second quarter, the Southland girls basketball team gained a 28-14 advantage over Lyle/Pacelli Thursday night and grabbed a 47-33 victory.

The Lady Rebels clinched the West Division of the Southeast Conference with the triumph. Southland is 9-1 in the conference and 13-8 overall.

"It was very rewarding, especially four the seniors on our team," said Southland head coach Earl Orvick. "We felt we could challenge for a conference title and the last few weeks we talked about it more."

The Lady Rebels have five seniors on the squad: Andrea O’Connell, Michele Neuvirth, Lindsey Hartwig, Amber Wilson and Amanda Bottema.

After a tight first quarter, the disparity in the second quarter was a mystery.

"I really can’t explain it," Orvick said. "They missed some shots. We made some plays and got the ball to the basket. That was the difference in the game."

Two telling statistics were Southland out-rebounding Lyle/Pacelli, 46-32, and L/P converting on only two of 22 three-point attempts.

Both teams shot well at the line with Southland making 9 of 12 and Lyle/Pacelli 5 of 7.

O’Connell scored a game-high 12 points. Sarah Thome and Jenny Wilson each scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Neuvirth led the team in rebounds with nine.

Laura Nelson led Lyle/Pacelli with nine points.