University downs CV again

District rivals University and Central Valley met Thursday for the second time in less than two weeks in Greater Spokane League girls basketball and the outcome was much the same.

The Titans bottled up the Bears with a tough zone defense, particularly in the first half, for a 50-42 triumph and sweep of the season series.

“Our philosophy is we can’t light up the scoreboard so we’re trying to keep the lights dim on their side,” said U-Hi coach Mark Stinson of the defense. With the victory, during the Stinky Sneaker spirit game at the Arena, U-Hi (8-3) moved past CV (7-4) for undisputed fourth place.

CV led 6-5 midway through the first quarter, then had trouble finding shots and the basket. The Titans, led by Kasey Jurich and Riki Schiermeister, went on a 24-8 run for a 15-point halftime lead.

The Bears scored the first four points of the third quarter before U-Hi finished off the period 10-3, forcing its foe to catch up from 18 points behind. A late flurry sparked by Brittany Catron and Justine Bowman cut the Titans’ lead to six points with 23 seconds remaining, but it came too late.

Schiermeister, as she had in the first meeting, proved hard to stop and finished with 20 points. Jurich had 12. Catron and Bowman combined for 23.

Ferris 42, Rogers 25: In the Saxons’ victory, Amber Quann (10 points, 10 rebounds) had her third straight double-double and Liz Boyden scored her 13 points in the second and third quarters when Ferris (4-7) outscored the Pirates (0-11) 28-9. Rogers freshman Brooklynn Smith led all scorers with 14, seven in the first quarter when Rogers took an 11-9 lead.

Shadle Park 45, Mt. Spokane 32: A methodical effort lifted the visiting Highlanders (9-2) past the Wildcats (4-7) to remain in second place. Three Shadle players were in double figures: Lexie Pettersen (12), Sara Nichols (11) and freshman Kendra Knutsen (10).

Gonzaga Prep 60, North Central 39: The host Bullpups (5-6) built a 15-point lead in the first half behind Tia Presley and went on to defeat the Indians (3-8). Presley scored 20 of her 25 points in the first half. She put in 10 field goals, including four 3-pointers.

Mead 56, East Valley 46: The Panthers (9-2) kept pace with Shadle by parlaying a quick start into victory over the visiting Knights (1-10). Mead outscored EV 17-5 in the first quarter and the teams matched points in the second half. Jazmine Redmon had her second big game of the week by scoring 18 points.