Patience and ball movement powered Seattle Lutheran to a 39-22 SeaTac 2B League girls' basketball victory at Evergreen Lutheran in Des Moines on Tuesday, Dec. 12 in the first half of a girls' and boys' doubleheader.

Seattle Lutheran improved to 1-1 league and 2-2 overall while Evergreen Lutheran stands at 0-1 league and 0-5 overall.

"We had to overcome poor shooting," Saints head coach Bruce Carlson stated. "We were more patient moving the ball in the second half and the shots started dropping. "Defense is our key. Keeping the press going and working it better is important to get more easy baskets. We also need to shoot the ball better."

These factors are also what ignite Seattle Lutheran's long-range goals.

"Our goal is to get back into the top four and into the district playoffs," continued Carlson. "Our most likely spot to reach is somewhere between two and four. We'll know more after playing Crosspoint. To get there we rely on our three seniors. Our point guard is Ali Bigliardi while Jillian Smith plays good defense. Amy Jacobs can be a good outside shooter. We want to get better and work harder in each game."

Great hustle by both squads emerged, but the low percentage shooting kept the score at 10-6 for SL after one quarter. The teams were able to maneuver the ball into shooting position, but had problems finding the bottom of the net.

An Amelia Menges free throw ahead of Heather Schmeichel's basket briefly drew the host Eagles within 10-9 two minutes into the second quarter. Jacobs torched an outside basket followed by Bigliardi's three-point missile as the opening salvos of a 9-0 Saints run.

Evergreen Lutheran responded with four consecutive points before Seattle Lutheran carried a 21-13 lead into halftime. Self inflicted errors plus a tough Saints defense continued to deal the Eagles a tough hand in the second half.

Two Schmeichel outside baskets sandwiched around a hoop from the Saints' Helen Chung kept Evergreen Lutheran within six points at 23-17 with 4:47 left in the third quarter. Strong rebounding and steals enabled the Saints to push their advantage to 32-17 going into the final quarter.

Evergreen Lutheran continued to have difficulties protecting the ball and to manufacture consistent offense as Seattle Lutheran cruised to victory.

Bigliardi led the Saints with nine points, six rebounds and three steals. Smith scored seven points and added seven rebounds -all on the ofensive boards- and dished out four assists. Darby Turner notched seven points and corralled six rebounds. Hailey Meyer came on for 11 rebounds with four points.

Schmeichel stood out for the Eagles with 10 points and eight rebounds.

"Our biggest item is that we'll be drilling and practice on is boxing out," said first-year Eagles coach Nick Trebesch. "They had way too many opportunities at the basket. Protecing the ball better especially against the press break was tough and our shooting percentage has to be better. Half of our girls are freshmen, so the future is bright. This is a talented core group that has played together since grade school."

"They have a lot of heart and soul. It's a matter of putting it together on the court. We're looking for incremental growth, game by game."