Surging Lady Hornets Sting The Mules

What a difference three weeks makes.

When Saline visited Bedford on Jan. 10, the Kicking Mules sent the Hornets home licking their wounds after a 54-33 loss.

Tuesday at , the Hornets returned the favor in a 52-43 victory.

Katie Crysler led Saline with her season-high of 15 points. Caitlin Ellis continued her hot play with 13 points. Britten Clark also added 10 points for Saline.

The Hornets improved to 5-9 overall and 3-4 in the SEC Red.

The elated Saline team poured off the bench after the victory to greet the players on the floor.

“We’re not the same team we were three weeks ago. We’re working harder. We’re playing like a team. We’re focusing on the basics. I think we’re going to continue to do that,” said Saline head coach Jeff Waltz.

Waltz credited each of the 13 girls on the team, each of whom played. 

“It was a total team effort,” he said.

Crysler’s ferocity all over the court set the tone for the Hornets.

“She battled for every loose ball. She went hard to the basket. She made her free throws. I think this was her best game as a Hornet,” Waltz said.

Crysler agreed.

“I’m a senior. It’s time to break out,” she said. “I just try to work hard and contribute like all of the other girls on the team.”

Saline took the lead for good at the end of the first quarter. The Hornets were buzzing around the Bedford hoops, firing shots, missing and collecting the rebound before Emily Reyst put one back for an 11-10 lead.

Crysler opened the second with a basket plus the foul for a three-point play. After a free throw by Melissa Needham, Britten Clark short jump shot for a 17-10 lead. The Hornets held the Mules off the scoreboard for 5:48 seconds.

Saline took a 21-16 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Once again, the Hornets opened strong, with Needham putting back an offensive board for two points.

Ellis scored two layups during a five-point lead to make it 29-17 with 5:05 to play in the third.

The Mules tried to climb back in the game, closing the gap to eight points. Crysler scored another layup and then Alison Rentschler’s three-pointer brought the Hornet fans out of their seats. After a layup by Ellis, Saline led 36-21.

Crysler’s drive to the hoop late in the quarter gave Saline a 38-26 lead going into the fourth.

The Hornets the fourth a little slow, but after Bedford pulled to within eight, Crysler, Ellis and Clark put an end to any comeback plans the Mules might have had.

Saline can even its record in the SEC Red Friday at Ann Arbor Pioneer.