Susmann, McMullen dominate as Northfield overpowers Randolph
Toolbox
By TOM HERZIG CORRESPONDENT - Published: December 29, 2009
NORTHFIELD – Jackie Susmann and Kaitlyn McMullen overpowered Randolph inside to spark Northfield to a 40-24 girls basketball win Monday.
Susmann was the game's high-scorer with 15 points. McMullen had a double-double – 12 points and 10 rebounds.
The duo accounted for all 24 of Northfield's points in the first half. For a change of pace (quicker), Marauder point guard Emily Martin scored nine points and had three steals in the second half.
Randolph hung around until midway through the third quarter when Northfield went on a 9-0 run and opened up a 40-20 lead. The burst included two lay-ups off half-court steals by Martin, her lob pass to Susmann for a hoop and McMullen's turnaround on the low block. There was no such streak in the cards for the Ghosts. Randolph labored through a 1-of-15 shooting drought in the fourth quarter.
"We've been focusing on defense in practice lately and we talked at halftime about needing to make more of an effort to get in the passing lanes," Northfield coach Lori Shepard said. "It was nice to see Emily take control in the second half. We came out flat, but Kait got us started. She's a strong kid and that was a nice double for her."
Shayne Reis led Randolph with five points and five rebounds. Molly Jacobs had two baskets in the first half. Siobhan Chase sank two shots from the wing in the second half. Jacobs' second hoop cut Northfield's lead to 12-10. Then Susmann and McMullen began to take over, combining for 10 points in 2:30 on an assortment of shots in and around the lane.
Both teams committed 18 turnovers, but Northfield was more the aggressor on offense. The Marauders made 18 of 39 shots from the floor and 4 of 10 from the charity stripe. Randolph was limited to 22 percent shooting (8-37). Susmann blocked three shots.
Randolph dropped to 2-6. The Ghosts play at U-32 Jan. 7. Northfield (5-1) travels to Danville Wednesday.
Northfield 40, Randolph 24
RANDOLPH (24)
LaFreniere 0 1 0-0 3, Connolly 0 2-5 2, Wallman-Hatch 1 0-0 2, Reis 0 5-6 5, Chase 2 0-0 4, Jacques 1 0- 0 2, Jacobs 2 0-0 4, Jickling 1 0-0 2. Totals: 7 1 7-11 24.
NORTHFIELD
Susmann 7 1-2 15, McLellan 0 0-0 0, Martin 3 3-7 9, K. McMullen 6 0-0 12, M. McMullen 1 0-0 2, Kelsey 1 0-0 2, Warren 0 0-0 0, Grant 0 0-0 0, Neun 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 4-9 40.
Randolph 6 8 4 6 - 24
Northfield 10 14 7 9 - 40
Three-pointers: R – LaFreniere. Fouled out: None
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