MONROE, CT — Masuk High’s girls basketball team overcame a 10-point deficit to pull away from visiting Wilby of Waterbury 58-44 in a Jan. 8 contest that was much closer than the final score indicates.
The Panthers trailed 30-22 at the half and battled back to end the third down just one at 42-41.
Masuk’s defense found its footing late and limited Wilby to just a basket in the fourth quarter.
Masuk Coach Dan Young said his team was a step slow on offense and the defense was not on its game in the first two quarters. The Panthers made adjustments at the half, including switching to a zone defense that proved to frustrate the visitors.
“When we’re sluggish, defense has to be the thing that springboards us,” Young said. “We made some adjustments at the half and the girls executed it.”
Masuk forced several turnovers and tie ups and also contested shots and got rebounds, which enabled the Panthers to get the ball and run in transition.
Stellar D by Emma Troesser, with Peyton Webb’s help, caused the turnovers to pile up.
Wilby’s last lead came at 44-43 early in the fourth. Bailey Bajda’s nice move and hoop down low made it 45-44 Panthers with 5:45 left.
Webb followed with a right corner 3-pointer. Troesser forced a turnover and Webb capitalized on another 3 for a 51-44 lead.
Bajda went back to back games with a double-double (21 points and 10 rebounds against Wilby).
Grace Sheppard (15 points on five 3-pointers) and Maddie Farrer (five points) had a game high four assists each. Farrer grabbed 12 rebounds. Troesser picked up a game high four steals to go along with six points. Webb, a freshman, registered a career high 10 points and scored eight points. Abby Troesser added two points.
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