GIRLS BASKETBALL: Mercersburg Academy downs Notre Dame in PAISSA opener

PHILADELPHIA >> Make more room for the Mercersburg Academy girls basketball team in the record books.

With a 56-51 win over Notre Dame in the PAISSA Tournament's first round on Monday, the Blue Storm got its first-ever win against a team ranked No. 6 or better in the state tournament. Mercersburg (15-6) play at No. 3 seed Episcopal Academy on Wednesday at 4 in the quarterfinals.

But it didn't come easy.

Mercersburg – the No. 11 seed – went into the final quarter trailing 44-40 but made key adjustments down the stretch and outscored Notre Dame, No. 6 seed, 16-7 in the final frame.

"We started to figure out what they were doing on the offensive side in the second half," Storm coach Katie LaRue said. "They were setting a lot of screens to get their shooters open, so we started switching on the screens, and they only got one 3-pointer in the second half."

Isiuwa Oghagbon was the biggest difference-maker on the offensive side for Mercersburg. Oghagbon racked up 19 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Blue Storm. Teal Tasker also reached double figures, finishing with 17 points.

LaRue said, "When Isiuwa plays like she did today, she's tough to beat. We have a team where any kid can step up on any given game. She was a difference-maker today. Kudos to her."

The Blue Storm got to the foul line 27 times compared to just six for Notre Dame. Joana Santos hit a pair of free throws and Sarah Lyman hit four in the last two minutes to seal the deal for Mercersburg.

MERCERSBURG (56)

Joana Santos 1 3-6 5, Teal Tasker 5 7-12 17, Sarah Lyman 1 7-8 9, Molly Taylor 3 0-0 6, Isiuwa Oghagbon 9 1-1 19, Megan Lafferty 0 0-0 0.

Totals — 19 18-27 56.

NOTRE DAME (51)

Facchetta 6 0-0 14, Rogers 2 2-2 7, A.Kane 5 2-2 16, J.Kane 0 2-2 2, Ryan 4 0-0 8, Walsh 1 0-0 2, Phillips 1 0-0 2.

Totals —19 6-6 51.

Mercersburg2011916—56Notre Dame1814127—51

3-point goals — ND 7 (A.Kane 4, Facchetta 2, Rogers).