The good news for the Dedham High girls basketball team is that nights like Tuesday have been the exception this winter and not the rule.
The Marauders have compiled a 9-8 mark by consistently showing up ready against teams of equal or lesser talent this year, making sure to put winnable games in the bank at nearly every opportunity. But against a Milton team it handled by seven points on the road earlier this year, Dedham let a slim halftime lead slip away in the third and could not rally in the fourth, suffering a 43-36 home loss to drop three straight contests for the first time this season.
"Milton wanted it more than us, they played harder than us," said Dedham coach Don Savi. "It’s simple, they wanted the game."
Junior Brianna Dozier was the lone Marauder to score in double figures with 10 points, while Emily Hill added eight and Libby Masalsky six. Milton point guard Nicki Regan led all scorer with 20 points.
Dedham led 21-19 at the half but Milton took control for good in the third period, outscoring the Marauders 15-7 to head into the fourth with a 34-28 lead.
The Wildcats opened the final quarter with the first seven points on a jumper and a drive from Regan and a 3-pointer when a loose ball bounced right to an open Margaret Corcoran on the wing for a 41-28 edge.
Ellen Masalsky broke the Dedham drought nearly four minutes in on a basket and foul, but could not convert from the line. That became a theme in the fourth for the Marauders, who entered the quarter 12-of-18 from the stripe but missed their final nine attempts.
"That was a huge factor," said Savi of the free throw woes. "The concentration just wasn’t there tonight."
Hill had consecutive baskets to bring Dedham within 42-34 but an intentional foul call on the Marauders with 44.4 second remaining sealed it. Both Ellen and Libby Masalsky fouled out in the fourth for Dedham.
Dedham also had a halftime lead disappear in the third in a 54-40 loss to the Bay State Conference Herget Division champions Walpole last Thursday.
The Marauders took a 20-19 lead into the locker room but could not contain Walpole’s Summer King in the second half as the 6-foot sophomore center had 18 of her 24 points after the break, with 12 of them coming in the third quarter when the Rebels pulled away with a 19-8 margin.
Hill paced Dedham with 14 points.
Dedham still has time to reestablish some momentum before it heads into the Division 3 South tournament as it wraps up it BSC slate with Needham tonight then faces Boston English tomorrow and Innovation Academy Monday, all at home.
"We need to get back to where we were, this wasn’t how we have played this year," said Savi. "You have to play better than this going into the tournament or it’s going to be a quick exit."
The good news for the Dedham High girls basketball team is that nights like Tuesday have been the exception this winter and not the rule.
The Marauders have compiled a 9-8 mark by consistently showing up ready against teams of equal or lesser talent this year, making sure to put winnable games in the bank at nearly every opportunity. But against a Milton team it handled by seven points on the road earlier this year, Dedham let a slim halftime lead slip away in the third and could not rally in the fourth, suffering a 43-36 home loss to drop three straight contests for the first time this season.
"Milton wanted it more than us, they played harder than us," said Dedham coach Don Savi. "It’s simple, they wanted the game."
Junior Brianna Dozier was the lone Marauder to score in double figures with 10 points, while Emily Hill added eight and Libby Masalsky six. Milton point guard Nicki Regan led all scorer with 20 points.
Dedham led 21-19 at the half but Milton took control for good in the third period, outscoring the Marauders 15-7 to head into the fourth with a 34-28 lead.
The Wildcats opened the final quarter with the first seven points on a jumper and a drive from Regan and a 3-pointer when a loose ball bounced right to an open Margaret Corcoran on the wing for a 41-28 edge.
Ellen Masalsky broke the Dedham drought nearly four minutes in on a basket and foul, but could not convert from the line. That became a theme in the fourth for the Marauders, who entered the quarter 12-of-18 from the stripe but missed their final nine attempts.
"That was a huge factor," said Savi of the free throw woes. "The concentration just wasn’t there tonight."
Hill had consecutive baskets to bring Dedham within 42-34 but an intentional foul call on the Marauders with 44.4 second remaining sealed it. Both Ellen and Libby Masalsky fouled out in the fourth for Dedham.
Dedham also had a halftime lead disappear in the third in a 54-40 loss to the Bay State Conference Herget Division champions Walpole last Thursday.
The Marauders took a 20-19 lead into the locker room but could not contain Walpole’s Summer King in the second half as the 6-foot sophomore center had 18 of her 24 points after the break, with 12 of them coming in the third quarter when the Rebels pulled away with a 19-8 margin.
Hill paced Dedham with 14 points.
Dedham still has time to reestablish some momentum before it heads into the Division 3 South tournament as it wraps up it BSC slate with Needham tonight then faces Boston English tomorrow and Innovation Academy Monday, all at home.
"We need to get back to where we were, this wasn’t how we have played this year," said Savi. "You have to play better than this going into the tournament or it’s going to be a quick exit."
