Senior Rima Lghzaoui was selected as the Cardinal player of the game versus St Johns.
The Cardinals were the talk of the tournament at Gonzaga heading into quarterfinal play. Bishop Ireton’s stunning 48-41 upset of #7 Bishop McNamara turned heads around the conference. Unfortunately for the Alexandria school, the trip ended emphatically Saturday at the hands of #2 seeded St Johns (22-7), who had no plans to be part of any Cinderella story.
Ireton controlled the game’s opening tipoff and grabbed a quick 2-0 lead on a layup. St John’s would score the next 23 points to remove any doubt as to the outcome of the contest. The Cardinals were game, make no mistake, they played from tipoff to final horn with determination and hard work. On this day, however, the talent on the other side was too much for the upstart Cards. The Cadets surged to a 33-10 lead after one period, a dominating session that led the public address announcer to declare it a halftime score until he belatedly corrected himself. St Johns took a 53-25 lead to the locker room and played the entire squad throughout the second half, holding a 67-33 lead after three quarters.
The Cardinals continued to work hard, getting everyone into the game, if only for the experience of playing on the bigger stage they hope to be more regular attendees to in the future. Senior Laura Hart led Ireton in scoring with 11, while Rima Lghzaoui added 7, as did junior Camille Weber. Mara Celis and Bianca Ojiegbe each chipped in 6, senior Helena Barber had 4. Alexandra Stipano dropped a three on the Cadets and Taylor Gallahan and Isabelle Kendall had a bucket while Julia O’Brien was held to a free throw, well below her game average. 11 Cadets got on the board for St J0hns, four in double figures, led by senior Mooriah Rowser’s 16. Lghzaoui was named the Bishop Ireton “player of the game” by tournament officials.
The Cardinals (6-24) now await the Virginia state playoff announcements on Sunday to determine whether they begin turning in their equipment or turn out for practice Monday afternoon.
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