By PAUL GOTHAM
PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Libby Kwak finished with a game-and-season high 23 points including a 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter to lift the Livonia girls’ basketball team over Pittsford Sutherland, 51-48 in non-league action Monday night.
Kwak’s go ahead triple gave Livonia a lead it did not surrender at 51-48.
“I’m very happy,” Livonia head coach Karen Schuster said. “That was a good win for us, really good win for us.”
Schuster challenged her team in the timeout prior to Kwak’s basket encouraging her players stop relying on the Bulldogs leading scorer, Kylie Buckley.
“When she’s double-team and triple-teamed, you got to be able to hit the open player,” Schuster explained. “I thought they did a great job in that situation.”
Kwak’s three was her fifth of the night.
“If she’s got an open look, we want her shooting it,” Schuster said of the sophomore guard. “Right out of that timeout they skipped it to Libby and she knocked down the three. I think they understand now you don’t have to get the ball to Kylie every single time.”
Buckley, who came into the game averaging 27.5 points per game, scored 13.
Teammate Emma King added seven points. Kelsey Stewart had five and Madison King three.
Putback from Madison King gives Livonia a 51-46 lead over Sutherland with 18 seconds remaining. pic.twitter.com/kIcCflUQEe
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 14, 2021
“We knew we had to play our A-game,” Schuster said. “We watched a couple films on Sutherland. They’re a very good team and the girls came ready to play.
“I was a little worried in the pre-game. They seemed a little tired and not really into it. Once the game started, they proved they were into this game.”
Livonia improved to 4-1 with the win.
Ellie Bergin led Sutherland with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Annie Dodge added 11 points. Lara Brandt grabbed 11 rebounds to go with four blocks and three points.
Ellie Bergin putback makes it a 51-48 game with 14 seconds remaining. Livonia has the ball and lead. pic.twitter.com/UQSIjGrgoW
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 14, 2021
Leora Cook collected five rebounds and scored four points.
Sadie Bush and Dylan Madigan scored three points apiece. Caitlin Bergin and Petra Hunt both scored two points.
Sutherland is 3-1 on the season.
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