Defense Lifts Saline to Win Over Adrian

Saline limited Adrian to just eight points in the second half in a 43-31 win in varsity girls basketball action Tuesday night.

Caitlin Ellis scored 15 points and grabbed nearly as many rebounds to lead the Hornets.

Saline improved to 6-10 overall and 4-5 in the SEC.

Saline led 16-2 in the first quarter but Adrian came back and was down 24-23 at halftime.

"We let them back in the game. At halftime, I challenged the girls. I said if we can keep Adrian to 30 points or less, we're going to have a great chance to win this game," said Saline coach Jeff Waltz. "They came through. I'm very proud of their defensive effort."

Waltz said Ellis was dominant on the boards.

"She's just been a beast down low. She's been playing great basketball for us for a month now," Waltz said.

Waltz also credited the defensive work of Alli Cope and Emily Reyst. Kelsey Pelletier came off the bench and scored two three-pointers for the Hornets.

Britten Clark added eight points. Melissa Needham scored four points. Katie Crysler scored three points. Alison Rentschler, Celia Smart and Amanda Price each had two points. Reyst scored a point.

Saline can even their SEC record Friday with a win at Skyline.