Early in the second quarter Wednesday night, the Wilton High girls basketball team looked to be on track with its mission: Take down one of the top teams in the FCIAC, the Stamford Black Knights.
But with the score tied 10-10 and 6:52 left before halftime, Stamford began firing on all cylinders. The Black Knights embarked on an 8-0 run that set the tone for the rest of the contest, which ended with Stamford winning by 29 points, 57-28, over host Wilton at the Zeoli Field House.
Ahead 27-15 at halftime, Stamford put the game away in the third quarter by outscoring the Warriors, 23-4, to take a commanding 51-19 lead into the final quarter. Stamford hit seven three-pointers in the first three quarters.
Wilton couldn’t solve the Black Knights’ full-court press, which produced a steady stream of turnovers by the hosts. And when the Warriors did move the ball into the front court and get open looks, their shots didn’t find the bottom of the net.
“Again, I feel the team played outstanding on defense and we gave them some different looks that created problems for them,” said Wilton head coach Rob Coloney. “[Stamford] found ways to score. They’re one of the top teams in the conference and tonight they showed why.”
Coloney’s game plan included shutting down Stamford’s senior guard Tiana England, who will play at St. John’s next winter. Wilton did limit England to just two points in the first half and 10 points on the night, but she forced several Wilton turnovers and found her teammates for shots.
“Yeah, we held England in check early in the game, but they have many other players that can step up and carry their team,” said Coloney.
One of them was center Alexa Kellner, who hit three treys and scored a game-high 16 points for Stamford, which improved to 14-2 overall and 11-2 in the FCIAC. Andrea O’Connor and Mackenzie Brown each added nine points for the Black Knights.
Karen Brosko led Wilton (8-9, 7-6 FCIAC) with nine points. Fellow senior Taylor Ingerman contributed four points, and Alexa Hirn had three points.
“Overall, I’m pleased as to the way my team played,” said Coloney, whose team is now tied with Norwalk and St. Joseph for the eighth and final berth in the fast-approaching conference playoffs. “Stamford played a physical style game and our players fought back and didn’t back down.”
Coloney also discussed his team’s scoring struggles.
“Sometimes that extra pass we make hurts us,” he said. “We have to be able to know where we are on the court and be confident in taking the shot. Having games like this has to be looked as a learning experience.”
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