MONROE, CT — Masuk High’s girls’ basketball team hung close but could not overcome visiting Stratford in a 43-35 setback on Monday. The Red Devils avenged an eight-point loss to the Panthers (44-36) two weeks earlier by returning the eight-point road win favor.
Stratford led 31-26 through three quarters and went up seven points early in the final stanza before Masuk’s Natalie Lieto drained a 3-pointer to make it 33-29. The Panthers got a point closer on a free throw but could not get the game tied. The Red Devils led 39-33 before Masuk’s Hannah Fagan hit a pair of foul shots with 1:35 left, but the Panthers did not score again.
Fagan finished with 11 points, Maia Ventresca scored eight, Natalie Lieto scored seven, Alannah Tremalio had six and Claire Martinsky tacked on three.
Masuk led 13-6 after one quarter of play and 21-16 at the half. Stratford outscored the hosts 15-5 in a game-changing third quarter.
The Panthers get right back at it with a home tilt against the Pomperaug Panthers tonight at 7 p.m. Pomperaug is coming off a 52-27 win over Stratford on Jan. 21.
