Foley’s return helps Andover girls beat Chelmsford

ANDOVER — Even with long stretches without points and a tough Chelmsford squad on the other side, Andover was able to outlast the Lions for the second time in three nights.

The Golden Warriors — with the aid of sophomore Anna Foley’s return — were able to survive a late Chelmsford run to win 49-41 in a Merrimack Valley Conference showdown on Friday.

“Chelmsford plays so hard and so well,” said Andover coach Alan Hibino. “Our girls met the challenge. They played really hard and they got a little boost with Anna coming back.”

In the first half, Andover got a much-needed lift from Foley as she scored seven of her 13 points, including a couple of free throws, to give the Golden Warriors a 21-19 lead at the half.

Eventually, Andover pushed the lead out to double-digits, but the Lions met them head-on during every possession.

Chelmsford (4-2) trailed 32-22 entering the fourth and 35-24 early in the frame before a 7-0 run for the Lions cut the deficit to 35-31. The Golden Warriors stepped up and went on a 7-0 run of their own to push the lead back out to 42-31 late into the fourth.

“It happens often,” Hibino said about the late Lions’ run. “Chelmsford does it so often. I’ve seen them put up points in a hurry on people. Their ball pressure was great to start that fourth quarter.”

Mia Beauchesne (12 points) came up huge with seven of the final eight points for Chelmsford, but from that point on, senior captain Tatum Shaw took over as she scored nine of the final 11 to seal the victory for Andover (4-2). She netted 15 of her game-high 19 points in the second half, including a 6-0 run to end the third as well.

“They did a great job against (Shaw) in the first half,” said Hibino. “Then we got out in transition. That is where she can get going.”

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3crtnbk