By Gerardo Bolong

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

TACOMA - SeaTac 2B Seattle Lutheran displayed good defensive skills and an improved knowledge of running an offense in a 35-20 victory at SeaTac 1B Evergreen Lutheran in a non league girls basketball game.

While improving to 9-8 overall, the Saints depended upon a fast ..pace.

"We were pushing the ball and fast breaking," said Seattle Lutheran head coach Bailey Menashe. 

The final evidence of the improved defensive and offensive skills was presented when the host Eagles closed within 21-17 early in the third quarter.

Melina Menashe ignited the Saints with an offensive rebound and basket. Dea Seraile followed with a converted free throw as SL pressured on defense for steals and transition baskets to end the third quarter as components of a 7-0 drive to points in closing out the quarter with a 28-17 lead.

This placed Evergreen Lutheran in the rear window of Seattle Lutheran for the remainder of the encounter. Continued aggression by the Saints forged a  17-point lead at one stage of the final quarter before settling for the the final tally.

"We had a lot of communication on defense," said Seraile, who led the steals department while also directing the offense. "We had a pep talk when they got close. Then we used smart passing and pressing."

Displaying good court vision to spot open players and exhibiting overplaying angles style defense, Seattle Lutheran nearly stymied Evergreen Lutheran en route to a dominating 13-1 lead after one quarter. 

Sofia Libao laid home a hoop to stretch the margin to 15-1 before the Eagles started nipping away at the deficit to draw within 15-9. The previous margin could have been greater if the Saints had converted more of their close range shots which added to the EL hopes. Maddie Jensen's put back basket and short jump shot pushed the score to 19-9. Tara Christie rebounded and scored ahead of a Rebecca Kjenstad banked three-ball to draw EL back within 19-14 with two minutes until halftime.

Receiving a good lead - in pass, Jensen notched an inside basket to send the Saints into the intermission with a 21-14 advantage. Three consecutive Evergreen Lutheran points to open the second half caught the attention of the Seattle Lutheran girls and prodded them into high gear to accelerate away for good.

"We played last night and the girls got a little lazy on defense," added coach Menashe. "This was a good test of endurance and mental focus. I'm proud of how the girls came back (when it got close).This was a huge game as our last away game."

The Seattle Lutheran Saints conclude their regular season at home on Jan. 28.

Shay Tjostolvson parlayed an eight-point first quarter into a game total of 10. Along with her numerous steals and good floor direction of the offense, Seraile also earned eight points. Menashe finished at seven and Jensen posted six.

Kjenstad paced EL with five points.