Indira Evora

By Mike Rubin

With the help of high scoring guards Indira Evora and Kelsey Garrity, Somerville girls basketball is back in the hunt for a tournament appearence.

Evora recorded a game high 15 points and Garrity added 13 as the Highlanders cruised to a 61-27 win over Malden in Friday night’s Greater Boston League showdown at the Brune Field House. Coupled with a win over Norte Dame of Hingham and a loss to Gloucester, the Highlanders currently stand even at 6-6 overall and 3-1 in the GBL.

Not only did the duo combine for 28 points, they also delivered 13 steals and six assists.

Creating turnovers at will, the Highlanders staked out to a 19 point lead in the second quarter.

After an 18-11 lead, the Highlanders exploded for an 18-6 run en route to a 36-17 lead before staking out to a 51-26 lead through the end of three quarters. In the fourth quarter, the Highlanders allowed just one point en route to the win. Other scoring contributors included Ashley Auciello with eight while Melissa Baptista and Marie Silva scored six points apiece.

Mary O’Brien and Lindsay Rimpel also chipped in with five points each.

“Both teams came out with a bounce in their step and a few tactical moves up their sleeve,” said coach Shannon Clark.

Despite a strong effort, the Highlanders suffered a tough 64-60 road loss to Gloucester.

Trailing 16 to 12 through the end of the first quarter, the Highlanders fell behind 28 to 18 at the half. Led by Garrity, the Highlanders erupted for 20 third quarter points, trimming the gap to 42-39 before the Fishermen secured the win with a late fourth quarter run after the Highlanders had closed the gap within a single point.

Leading the way was Garrity with a team high 17 points while Evora and Ella Tyler added 10 apiece. Other contributors also included Baptista with eight and Silva with six.

“The freshman combo of Tyler and Baptista excelled in the two-man game pouring in a combined seven points,” said Clark. “The Highlanders cut the lead to just four points heading into the final period. Unfortunately, the Highlanders couldn’t capitalize on their momentum, as mental mistakes down the stretch would cost them dearly. A missed free throw on the front end of a one-and-one, combined with two ill-timed fouls and a blown assignment on a sideline out-of-bounds play to seal their fate.”

In a tough contest against Norte Dame of Hingham last Tuesday, the Highlanders pulled away with a 62-56 win. Facing a 48-40 deficit through three quarters, the Highlanders erupted for 22 fourth quarter points to secure the road win.

Leading the way was Indira Evora, who recorded a game high 20 points while Garrity recorded a solid double-double with 20 points and 16 rebounds. Other contributors included Auciello and Tyler with six points each.

“Garrity had a hand in just about every key play in the fourth quarter as she scored eleven points, grabbed six rebounds and forced countless turnovers in crunch time,” said Clark.  “Shaking off a few hard fouls, Garrity closed the game out as she made her final six free throws.”

The Highlanders will aim to continue their winning ways in a rematch against Medford on Tuesday night.