Wolverines Withstand Dominant Opponent

With 1:40 remaining in a Southern Regional Division III game Tuesday night, the Harvard-Westlake girls’ basketball team finally seemed to relax.

The Wolverines built a commanding halftime advantage and led by 15 points late in a 73-62 victory over San Diego Kearny, but it was not until Triola Alexander of Kearny fouled out that things appeared safe.

“It seemed like every time she touched the ball, she scored,” said Coach Brian Taylor of Harvard-Westlake, whose team withstood Alexander’s 46-point performance to reach the second round.

Alexander did indeed score nearly every time she touched the ball, but the Wolverines’ patient offense was simply too much for a Kearny squad that had only one weapon.

Senior Omelogo Udeze scored 18 points for Harvard-Westlake (26-5) and LaTonya Robnett and Brooke Porter each added 16.

Kearny finished 19-10.

“We were pretty focused and just did all we could to contain [Alexander],” Udeze said. “They’re a good team and this win definitely feels good.”

Udeze started a 22-7 run in the second quarter that put the Wolverines ahead for good after the first quarter ended in a 13-13 tie. Udeze scored on a layup with 4:55 left in the first quarter and raced the length of the court 30 seconds later for another layup to give the Wolverines a 26-17 lead.

Then Robnett scored on a baseline move, just before Alexander picked up her fourth foul.

Robnett hit two three-point baskets with two minutes remaining in the first half to extend the lead to 39-24. Porter added a three-pointer at the first-half buzzer.