CRANES’ INSIDE, OUTSIDE GAME TURNS ANDOVER UPSIDE DOWN

Thanks to the new and improved multi-faceted offense of three-time all Big Ten player and former Oakland University head coach Eileen Hilliard, the Cranbrook-Kingswood Cranes pummeled Bloomfield Andover 61-20 in a game at Andover.

The Barons of Andover did a nice job of defending the interior in the first half, limiting 6-foot-3 superstar center Christine Vlasic to just three field goals. Unfortunately for Andover, this left driving lanes open.

Junior guard Jackie Pilcowitz made them pay. Beating overplaying defenders at will, Pilcowitz was fouled repeatedly and collected eight points by halftime, including four from the foul line.

Junior guard Ariel Roddy was equally tenacious. Driving, dishing and hitting an outside jump shot, Roddy also scored eight points in the first half (including 4-of-4 shooting from the line) to go along with her clever assists.

Senior power forward Lauren Stankovich likewise scored eight points in the first half on dishes and hard-fought offensive put-backs.

In the second half, with Andover defending the wings, the Cranes played their nearly-unstoppable inside-outside game. Vlasic scored 12 points in the second half and with the Baron defense struggling to defend the interior, Junior guard Abby Cohen was left open on the outside. Not a very good idea by Andover. Cohen hit five open jumpers in the third quarter, including a smooth, effortless three-pointer – her trademark.

For the game, Vlasic had 19 points and 10 rebounds, Cohen 16 points, Roddy 12 points and three steals, Pilcowitz nine hard-earned and well-deserved points, Stankovich eight tough points on four inside field goals, and 6-foot junior center Kate Blessing continued her gritty play, hitting the hardwood after every loose ball and out-dueling opponents for rebounds.