Feb 4, 2011 By Josh Herman for The 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – The Geibel Catholic girls basketball team celebrated Senior Night with a 52-34 Section 4-A win over visiting Frazier on Thursday behind a 23-point effort from Hannah Lazuka. Brittany Rulli hit the first three buckets of the game to help the Lady Gators (7-10, 5-4) jump out to a quick lead and Geibel continued to play well on both ends of the floor in the first half.

Rulli chipped in 12 points for the Lady Gators.

Lazuka scored 14 in the first half and a pressure zone defense from Geibel allowed only nine to the Lady Commodores (1-20, 0-11) before halftime.

Geibel coach Pat Klocek said that his seniors were a big part of the win.

“Hannah is our point guard and does a good job controlling the offense,” said Klocek. “Brittany Core is another senior who always gets our toughest defensive matchup and does well in that role.”

The tough play of the seniors paved the way to a 32-9 halftime lead for the Lady Gators.

The Frazier freshmen emerged from the half with extra energy as they began the third quarter with an 8-0 run. Buckets from Lauren Sommers, Lauren Timko, Megan Massey, and Kaley Barota helped the Lady Commodores outscore Geibel 11-10 in the third quarter.

“In the beginning of the second half our zone was way too passive and we turned the ball over too much,” said Klocek. “We adjusted and played more aggressive like we did in the first half.”

Geibel didn’t’ score in the second half until 4:04 left in the third quarter on a Rachel Erdely free throw.

Frazier’s senior point guard Queennesha Isaac scored eight of her team-high 12 points in the final quarter, but it proved to be too little too late as Lazuka added seven points in the quarter including four foul shots down the stretch.

Frazier head coach Andy Johnson knows that even though his team has struggled this year they can learn from every game and there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“I look at our young girls and they are getting a lot of experience that I think will help us in the future,” said Johnson. “We are starting three freshman who can all be successful as the program moves forward.”

Geibel’s latest victory over their rivals gives them a winning record in Section 4-A.

“We have been in some close games this year and have been fortunate to come out on the winning end of many of them,” said Klocek.

As the season winds down both teams are looking to finish up on a high note.

Geibel will travel to Saint Joseph on Saturday before returning to section play on Monday with a trip to California.

Frazier will take time to work before returning to action on Friday, February 11, when they host the Lady Trojans.