IHA holds on for 30-22 win against Holy Angels

Number 1 seed Immaculate Heart Academy were pushed to the max by a feisty and determined Holy Angels squad but prevailed 30-22 in the quarterfinals of the Bergen County Girls Basketball Tournament at Becton High School in East Rutherford. Clinging to a 23-22 lead with 2:05 left in the game, Katia Oge lay in off the glass gave the Blue Eagles some breathing room. Caitlin Roche sank 3 out of 4 free throws to expand the lead to 28-22.

Roche finished with a game high 10 points for IHA which all came in the 2nd half. The Blue Eagles will face off against Paramus Catholic in the semifinals of the Bergen County Girls Basketball Tournament at Ramapo College on February 15th at 12:00 p.m..

“Our defense was a positive today as we held Holy Angels to 22 points” said Immaculate Heart Academy Head Coach Steve Silver. “Jordan Wilmoth’s shot at the end of the 3rd quarter was a huge momentum swing for us” added Silver.

Both teams struggled mightily from the field in the 1st half missing layups and outside shots. The Blue Eagles led 7-5 at the end of the 1st quarter. Oge’s steal at midcourt and fast break layup extended the margin to 11-6 but back-to-back layups from Elena Pulanco pulled the Eagles to within 11-10 at halftime.

In the 3rd quarter, IHA built up an 18-10 advantage but Holy Angels responded going on a 9-0 run to take their first lead of the game at 19-18 with 7 seconds remaining in the 3rd. The Blue Eagles answered back with Jordan Wilmoth draining a buzzer-beating three-pointer making the score 21-19.