Jan 23, 2011 By Paul S. Brittain For The 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE TWP. – Jessica Brooks and Christa Lonigro combined for 37 points on Saturday to lead Connellsville to a 52-36 non-section win at Geibel Catholic.

Brooks scored 10 of her game-high 25 points in the first half, and Lonigro scored seven of her 12 points, as Connellsville surged to a 23-15-halftime lead.

Geibel senior Hannah Luzuka drew her fourth foul midway through the second quarter, but scored 14 of her 18 points from that point on to keep the Lady Gators in the game.

Connellsville (1-5, 3-11) broke from a 2-2 tie with a seven-point run that included three points by Brooks, a pair of free throws by Maria Merendino and a basket by Lonigro to lead 9-2. After a pair of Lazuka free throws, Brooks closed the quarter with a pair of baskets for a 13-4 lead.

The lead grew to 13 early in the second quarter before Geibel (2-2, 4-8) outscored the Lady Falcons 11-6 the rest of the period to trail 23-15 at halftime.

The Lady Gators pulled within six at the third quarter start on a basket by Rulli, but the Lady Falcons went on a 12-point run as Lonigro drove to score, Brooks and Lonigro sank 3-point baskets, Tiarra Taylor sank a pair of free throws and Brooks scored again for a 35-17 lead.

Minutes later, the lead was 38-19 before Lazuka sank two free throws, hit a 3-point basket and drove to score. Rulli added a free throw as GC cut the gap to 38-27, and the quarter ended with Connellsville leading, 40-29.

The Lady Falcons started the fourth quarter with an eight-point run to put the game out of reach with Brooks scoring six points and Merendino adding a field goal.

Connellsville coach Kevin Bell said, “Brooks sets the tone for the Lady Falcons and Lonigro’s effort was more vital because she didn’t commit many turnovers.

“Brooks stepped up and had a big game. You can see the difference when she’s not on the court,” Bell said. “Lonigro stepped up and helped cut down on our turnovers. She hit a big 3-pointer and had a nice drive (during the 12-point run).”

Bell praised Lazuka’s effort in playing with five fouls. “She’s a good player and kept her team in the game. We didn’t play good defense down the stretch. They broke our press and had a lot of easy hoops.”

Geibel coach Pat Klocek said the Lady Gators have been inconsistent on offense from game to game. “We’ve got to get three girls consistently scoring — Hannah and two others who we can count on eight for nine points a game, so that we can be a little more relaxed on offense.”

Klocek said Rulli’s nine points were a big help.

“Brittany has come a long way since her freshman year.” He said Lazuka has played with four fouls before and “she’s capable of finishing games out. She had to give up a couple layups in the second half and couldn’t go after rebounds quite as hard.”