The game was much closer than the final score, but Jordan showed their true colors after taking Lakewood’s best shot and outscored the Lancers 35-16 after halftime.  Asked if her second place team was looking forward to the match up with first place Poly on Friday, Jordan coach Adara Newidouski said after, “Doesn’t do you any good to look forward if you play like that, it’s obvious.  But give credit Lakewood, they came out ready… I could tell we weren’t ready to play before the game.  We’re going to need much better focus on Friday.”

The Lancers guard trio of Jasmine Balangue, Aljinee Brunson and Nicolette Rodriguez scored 20 of Lakewood’s 23 first half points.  Balangue poured in a game-high 16 points and did a great job of not turning the ball over.  Jordan was unable to get out and run, and when they did they settled for bad shots.  But a nice little run at the end of the second quarter capped by Armani Wiley’s third three pointer of the first half gave the Panthers the halftime lead, 28-23.

Lakewood pulled out all the stops in this one—including the “tie the shoe on the inbounds” play— but Alesana and Wilson ruled the boards and combined for 20 points in the paint.  Amber Washington led the Panthers with 13 points and Wiley had 12.