Shots didn’t fall Tuesday for the No. 2-ranked Brandywine girls basketball team in the first quarter of their Class C regional semifinal game against Schoolcraft.

The Bobcats were much better offensively in the second quarter and that was the difference as Brandywine rolled past Schoolcraft, 54-28.

Brandywine (22-1) advances to play Calvin Christian (19-4) in a regional final Thursday at 7 p.m. at Brandywine High School.

“We know that we have to play better defense on Thursday,” said Brandywine coach Josh Hood. “We’ve got to shoot the ball better and we’ve got to execute better. But we’re in the Sweet 16 for the fifth time in the last six years. When you’re a little Class C program and you can sustain that kind of success it says a lot about the kids at Brandywine.”

On Tuesday, the Bobcats broke open a close game by going on a 21-0 run in the second quarter. That impressive stretch gave Brandywine a 29-6 lead with 26 seconds left in the second quarter. Alyssa Bolen scored six points, Emily Erwin had five, Makenna Hartline and Michaela Hartline each scored four and Jalessa Garner had two during that key burst.

“That’s our system,” Hood said. “We play to try to go on 15-0 runs. Sometimes in girls basketball it’s hard to make that difference up. That’s why we keep the (defensive) pressure on. We didn’t give up layups and we sped them up and trapped them in some good spots.”

In the second quarter, Brandywine forced Schoolcraft into 11 turnovers and shot 61-percent (11-of-18) from the field.

Both teams failed to generate offense in the first quarter as Brandywine led 4-2 after eight minutes of action. The Bobcats missed 11 of their 12 shots and the Eagles missed eight of their nine shots in the opening quarter.

“We didn’t shoot the ball particularly well,” Hood said. “I think that’s a career-low for our program in the first quarter. The girls did a good job of not getting flustered when it was 6-4 in the second quarter. They kept their heads up and fed off the crowd. That gym hasn’t been that packed in a long, long time. This community has done a great job of backing our girls.”

Erwin gave the Brandywine fans something to be excited about at the end of the second quarter when she connected on a 3-pointer as time expired. That shot gave Brandywine a 32-8 halftime lead.

“When you get to a regional and give up only eight points in a half playing at a fast pace it says a lot about your girls and their defense,” Hood said.

Erwin finished with a game-high 16 points, including four 3-pointers. Makenna Hartline and Michaela Hartline each added 10. Makenna also grabbed a game-high nine rebounds, while Michaela totaled eight boards.

Schoolcraft pulled within 37-23 with :39 left in the third quarter, but wouldn’t get any closer.

“We have to learn to put teams away,” Hood said. “But at the end of the day when you’re in March it’s all about surviving and advancing.”

BRANDYWINE 54, SCHOOLCRAFT 28

Schoolcraft 28

Hunter Hart 4, Sarah Wisser 3, Amanda Crider 8, Wynn Stitt 0, Emma Herr 7, Amber Overley 1, Lydia Goble 4, Kennedy Leighton 0, Taegan Block 1, Hannah Huysken 0, Madison Saxman 0. TOTALS: 12 4-6 28

Brandywine 54

Makenna Hartline 10, Michaela Hartline 10, Brooke Smith 6, Emily Erwin 16, Jaleesa Garner 2, Makena Bowen 1, Alyssa Bolen 6, Rachael Szilagyi 0, Cassie Luczkowski 0, Mia Stella 3, Alexis Garcia 0, Chelsie Luczkowski 0. TOTALS: 20 7-12 54

 

Schoolcraft    2          8          23        28

Brandywine   4          32        39        54

3-point baskets: Schoolcraft (none), Brandywine 7 (Erwin 4, Bolen 2, Stella). Total fouls (fouled out): Schoolcraft 10 (none), Brandywine 11 (none). Shooting: Schoolcraft 12-of-42 for 28-percent, Brandywine 20-of-56 for 36-percent. Rebounding: Schoolcraft 31 (Herr 6), Brandywine 32 (Makenna Hartline 9). Turnovers: Schoolcraft 27, Brandywine 15. Varsity records: Schoolcraft 11-12, Brandywine 22-1