OLIVESBURG — The rubber match went to the Big Red.
Erin Stevens scored a game-high 15 points as 10th-seeded Plymouth cruised to a 44-23 over No. 11 New London in the nightcap of a Division IV sectional semifinal doubleheader Wednesday at Crestview High School.
The Big Red and Wildcats split a pair of regular-season games with each team winning on the other’s home floor. Both of those contests were decided by single digits.
It looked like Wednesday’s game would again come down to the wire as Plymouth led 6-5 after the opening quarter.
The second period was a different story, however, as the Big Red opened the frame on a 12-0 run to open an 18-5 gap on Destiny Detillion’s elbow jumper with 2:29 remaining in the first half. Plymouth was on top 20-9 at intermission.
“When we are a patient team, we can be a decent team,” Plymouth coach Dan Parrigan said. “When we push, we sometimes get into trouble.
“I knew if we could run a little clock, we would get good looks.”
New London opened the third quarter on a 7-2 run and cut Plymouth’s lead to 22-16 when Grace Popa split a pair of free throws with 4:37 remaining. The Big Red responded with a 10-1 burst to close out the period and led 32-17 going to the fourth.
Stevens scored eight of her 15 points in the final quarter as the lead continued to grow. Detillion and Jayline Branham each scored 11 points while Sarah Hoak added seven.
Emilee Rowland led New London with nine points. Popa and Alyssa Henry each had four.
The win was the first postseason victory for the Big Red since 2016. Next up is top-seeded and state-ranked Buckeye Central in the sectional final at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Crestview.
“It was well overdo,” Parrigan said. “I really believe I have a good core group of girls … and just to be here and be a part of it, I’m hoping that lights the fire.”
