GARRETTSVILLE, OH- Friday night brought us to James A. Garfield High School where the Lady G-MEN hosted the Liberty Leopards in an MVAC matchup. Garfield was looking to bounce back after a tough loss at Southeast while the Leopards were trying for their first win on the young season. Garfield jumped out to a big lead early and never looked back rolling to a 50-13 win.
It was a fast start for the G-MEN. Mandy Cardinal opened scoring the first five points of the game before a Kaelyn Tasker bucket forced a Liberty timeout with Garfield up 7-0. They would go on to score the next 11 for an 18-0 to start the game before Liberty's Qumora Watson split a pair of free throws after being fouled with 1.5 seconds on the clock. Garfield led 18-1 after one. Cardinal was big for the G-MEN with 10 first quarter points.
Mandy Cardinal scores inside for the G-MEN in the 1st
Cardinal started the scoring in the 2nd quarter as well putting Garfield up 20-1. The Leopards Mia Benjamin canned a three, but Garfield's Annie Rado answered with a three of her own.
Annie Rado hits a corner three for the G-MEN in the 2nd
The teams would trade baskets on the next few possessions before a Charlee Hill three put Garfield up 28-8. The G-MEN would take a 32-11 lead into the half. It was a competitive 2nd quarter for the undermanned Leopards. Mandy Cardinal led all scorers with 12 at the half.
Garfield honored several Lady G-MEN alumni who were in attendance at halftime.
After the teams traded baskets by Cardinal and Benjamin to open the 3rd, Garfield would score the final seven points of the quarter to open up a 41-13 lead after three. The G-MEN pitched a 9-0 shutout in the 4th and rolled to their 2nd win of the season 50-13 over Liberty.
Mandy Cardinal was tops for Garfield with 18 points. Kylene McMahon chipped in with 8 points while Charlee Hill and Riley Grace each scored 6. Mia Benjamin had 7 points and 6 rebounds for the Leopards.
It's a quick turnaround for Garfield who plays at Badger tomorrow afternoon while Liberty travels to South Range on Monday.
Postgame interviews with Mandy Cardinal and head coach Aaron Gilbert.
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