St. Elizabeth Girls Hold Off Padua Comeback 56-50 In Top 5 Matchup

ZaMylah Seda-Owens of St. Elizabeth looks to drive against Padua. Photo by Nick Halliday

WILMINGTON –The fourth-ranked St. Elizabeth girls basketball team held off a second-half comeback by No. 5 Padua, handing the Pandas their first loss in another early-season Top 5 matchup 56-50 at the St E Center.

The Vikings took an early first-quarter lead and extended it into the second quarter as they took a 33-20 halftime lead. The Pandas hadn’t trailed at the end of any quarter in its first two games, but had not faced a ranked opponent. The Vikings’ defensive pressure seemed too much for the Pandas in the first half, but they made some adjustments in the fourth quarter that came too late.

The Pandas finally figured out how to penetrate the smothering Vikings defense, but the deficit proved too much. The Pandas got within four points, 51-47, with 30 seconds to go, but the Vikings made some clutch free throws to clinch the victory.

The Vikings were led by Tori Richardson with 13 points. The Pandas were led by Abigail Grillo, with 25 points.