Rootstown runs past Garfield 70-45 for their 12th straight win
GARRETTSVILLE, OH- A pair of future Portage County conference rivals squared off on Monday evening as the Garfield Lady G-MEN hosted the Lady Rovers of Rootstown. The Rovers came in winners of 11 straight while the G-MEN were looking to bounce back from a tough loss to Crestwood on Saturday. The Rovers imposed their will early and often as they cruised to a 70-45 win.
The Rovers got the scoring started on a fastbreak following a Garfield missed shot when Colbie Curall took it strong to the hoop with a foul to get the Rootstown offense going.
Colbie Curall scores with a foul to start the scoring for the Rovers
Curall could not convert the free throw to complete the and-one. Cloe Bengston would score on the next possession before Mandy Garfield got Garfield on the board with a jumper. A few plays later it was Bengston fouled while scoring on a hard drive to the hoop. Her converted free throw put the Rovers up 9-2.
Cloe Bengston converts an and-one opportunity for the Rovers in the 1st
After a Cardinal three for Garfield cut the deficit to 9-5, The Rovers would outscore the G-MEN 16-4 the rest of the quarter led by Bengston and Elliott Smallfield as they combined for 15 of the 25 points. Rootstown led 25-9 after one.
Elliott Smallfield with the nice drive and score for Rootstown in the 1st half
The Rovers would open quarter two on a 7-0 run capped off by another Curall and-one opportunity that she would this time complete for a 32-9 lead.
Colbie Curall with another and-one opportunity in the 1st half for Rootstown
Garfield would outscore the Rovers 11-5 the rest of the half led by Riley Grace and Charlee Hill. The Rovers would take a 37-22 lead into the break.
Rootstown would start fast to open the 2nd half as they ran off an 11-0 run capped off by a Curall three ball to open up a 48-22 lead. The rest of the quarter was full of back and forth scoring by each team. A fun moment occurred late in the 3rd for Rootstown when JV player Charlie Wilson hit a corner three in front of the Rovers bench causing the entire bench to leap out of their chairs and cheer loudly in support. Rootstown led 58-32 after three.
The Rovers would get the lead to 30 before the starters departed as Curall and Smallfield both hit three’s before coach Joe Leonard emptied the bench leading 68-36. Garfield would score the final six points of the quarter giving us a final score of 70-45 in favor of Rootstown.
Colbie Curall and Elliott Smallfield led the way with 20 points each. Garfield was paced by Mandy Cardinal and Kylene McMayon who each dropped in 12.
Rootstown will look for their 13th straight win when they travel to Perry on Saturday. Garfield will look to bounce back at home against New Middletown Springfield on Thursday.
