Girls’ Basketball

BINGHAMTON – After winning their opening game of the season against Elmira Free Academy Friday, the Purple Tornado girls gave up a first-quarter lead to Binghamton, and lost in the finals of the O’Neil Tournament, 63-44.

Binghamton guard Phoebe Burns was 8-for-8 from the foul line in the second quarter to lead a 22-10 Patriots charge. Norwich jumped out to an early lead, and took a 15-12 lead into the second stanza. “The first six minutes of the game, for this point of the year, was about the best we can possibly play,” said Norwich coach Josh Bennett. “Both teams knew what they needed to do. We executed well in the first quarter, and they executed in the other three.”

Emily Lewis scored 12 points for Binghamton, one of four Pats in double figures scoring.

Hannah Runyon scored 13 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for Norwich (1-1), who advanced to the finals with a 48-35 win over EFA.

Norwich was 9-for-14 from the foul line in the second quarter against EFA to take a 21-18 halftime lead, and offset 3-for-25 shooting in the first two quarters. “The opening half, that was definitely a first-game type of situation,” Bennett said. “We shot the ball much better in the second half, and after the first quarter, our defense was exceptional.”

Runyon had 22 points and 15 rebounds, Bryn Loomis added 13 points and four steals, and forward Sophie Stewart played lock-down defense on EFA’s top scorer, Brittany Covington.