Stifling defense propels Ramsey to win over Pascack Hills by Chris Iseman of The Record
MONTVALE – This was another jolt of confidence for Ramsey.
The Rams lost to Pascack Hills earlier in the season, but that was before they went on a winning streak that showed them how good of a team they can be.
So this was a different Ramsey team on Tuesday night, and it showed.
The Rams were stifling on defense, efficient on offense, and when the final second fell off the clock, they had earned a big victory against a ranked opponent.
“It’s a big deal for us, because it’s another step for our confidence,” senior forward Hailey Reynolds said.
Ramsey built itself a big third-quarter lead, and then withstood a late charge from the Cowgirls to escape with a 45-41 win in a Big North Patriot Division matchup.
Senior guard Erica Lis was stellar for the Rams, finishing with 15 points, including two three-pointers. Reynolds scored 11 points, including one triple.
The key for the Rams was their defensive intensity.
They got off to a slow start and fell behind early. But once they hit another gear on defense, they started to take control of the game. That also led to more offensive opportunities, and Ramsey took advantage.
“Once our defense clicks, we get motivated and we get confident, and then it leads in to our offense,” senior guard Victoria Clinton said.
The Rams started the third quarter up, 21-18, but they expanded their lead quickly.
Sophomore guard Melanie Mack drained a three from the right wing to make it 30-22. After a basket from senior guard Madison Taradash, Lis made a triple from the top of the key and junior guard Cassie Phillips scored to give the Rams a 15-point lead.
But the Cowgirls, ranked No. 16 in The Record Top 25, started to climb back.
“They can just catch fire really quickly,” Ramsey coach Brett Roscoe said. “That’s why we wanted to make sure we kept our defensive intensity.”
Pascack Hills senior guard Caitlin Ernest made a three about a minute into the fourth to cut the Cowgirls’ deficit to 10 points.
They kept clawing until a three from sophomore forward Erin Hedrick with about 50 seconds left sliced Ramsey’s lead to 43-38.
But Reynolds made a pair of big free throws to push the Rams’ lead back to seven.
A foul shot from Hedrick and two from Allison Ernest made it a four-point game, but the Rams held on from there.
Caitlin Ernest was outstanding for the Cowgirls to finish with 12 points with four three-pointers. Allison Ernest finished with 14 points.
Ramsey started the season 2-6 before going on a four-game winning streak. That run ended in the first round of the Bergen County tournament when the Rams fell to a strong Ramapo team by eight.
Although the Rams lost, Reynolds said the fact they played so well against a formidable team gave Ramsey confidence.
That showed on Tuesday.
“We’ve been gaining momentum,” Roscoe said, “and this is just another one to give some more confidence, unlock another level of potential and see where we can really take this.”