TERRE HAUTE — Columbus North forced 15 turnovers at Terre Haute North to help push the Bull Dogs’ winning streak Thursday to seven games.
Columbus North gave up nine points in the first quarter before allowing just one 2-point basket in the second quarter on the way to getting the 48-35 Conference Indiana win.
“I think it was early enough in the game that we were pretty fresh,” Columbus North coach Pat McKee said of the second quarter. “I think we applied some pressure, and then we were also able to rotate back and get to the proper rotations out of the press and made it hard for them.”
Jenna Borger helped the Bull Dogs (10-2, 4-0) jump out to a 15-9 first quarter lead by scoring all seven of her points in the first eight minutes. She also ended with four blocks.
Columbus North held a 23-11 halftime lead behind Annie Anderson’s eight points. She scored another eight in the final two quarters to end with a game-high and career-high 16 points.
“I was confident in what I did, which I thought made a big difference,” Anderson said. “I think the team shared the ball well, so I think I owe it to them, too.”
The Bull Dogs started the second half with its highest scoring quarter of the game with 18 points in the third quarter. They hit three 3-pointers in the period to give them a 41-28 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Columbus North kept its lead by not allowing the Patriots (3-10, 0-3) to score more than five unanswered points at a time, which happened just once. The Bull Dogs started the fourth quarter on a 5-0 run of their own and played keep away for much of the final eight minutes.
Tessa Lomax had a strong inside presence for Columbus North on the offensive end, scoring 11 points.
“It felt pretty good to get those touches,” Lomax said. “The points were pretty good too. We shared the ball pretty well.”
The Bull Dogs and Patriots could meet again Dec. 29 in the placement round of the Subway/Columbus North Invitational. Eight teams will play four opening-round games Thursday and then all teams will play twice Dec. 29.
