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Andover rallies to down Central, earn share of MVC title

Friday, February, 15 By Peter A. Martin
Staff writer

LAWRENCE | Andover overcame a seven-point halftime to defeat Central Catholic 55-42. The win moved Andover to a 12-1 league record and gave the Golden Warriors a share of the Merrimack Valley Conference championship with 12-1 Lowell.

"I told my seniors that they had 16 minutes left and that this was their legacy to win their last game on this floor," said Tildsley, whose club is ranked third in Eastern Mass.

The Golden Warriors responded to that challenge with a 12-2 run in the first three minutes of the half, sparked by Meghan Thomann's two 3-pointers (she had five on the night) and two steals.

"We were getting good looks in the first half, we just weren't making our shots," said Thomann, who scored all of her team-leading 18 points in the second half. "We knew we just had to keep shooting and they would fall."

Central opened the final period with two big 3-pointers to take a 38-37 lead. But, with six minutes remaining, Andover's Laura Renfro (9 points, 7 assists) hit a 3-pointer was fouled and made the free throw. The 4-point play seemed to break Central's spirit. The Raiders would score only four points the rest of the way.

"Tonight was a frustrating game, were right there in it, but we struggled late as we have against every good team we have played this year," said Central coach Susan Downer. "We need to learn to finish."

The Raiders were led by sophomore Katie Zenevitch who had 15 points and a whopping 25 rebounds for a strong double-double. But she was held to two points in the second half after Andover switched to a zone defense.

"We couldn't hit outside shots in the second half, which could have opened up some room for (Zenevitch). When we did get it inside, they were just able to get bodies around the ball."

Freshman Natalie Gomez-Martinez scored five of Andover's 16 first-half points on her way to an 11-point night.

Andover (18-3) is off until the state tourney (pairings will be announced next Friday) while Central will play Sunday afternoon in the Comcast Tourney at BC High.