Becker scores 24 in win over Ben Franklin; Comets finish 1-1 in pool play

by RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

St. Charles went into its Christmas break on a major high after its thrilling come from behind victory over Country Day on Dec. 20. But the tables would be turned entering their weeklong break for New Year’s.

Country Day held off a late Comets rally and emerged with a 50-49 victory last Friday at the Alario Center, eliminating St. Charles from the Rumble on the River tournament.

St. Charles finished second in its pool in the tournament, defeating Ben Franklin, 48-42, and falling to Salmen, 52-29.

The Cajuns survived the red-hot shooting of Michelle Marzoni, who buried six 3-pointers in the game on her way to 19 points.

It was the second time in two meetings that Marzoni burned Country Day from behind the arc, as she hit five in the Comets’ prior win.

Brooke Becker added 15 points for St. Charles (13-8), and Megan Musacchia scored eight.

Country Day led 29-21 at halftime.

Marzoni scored her 19 points despite spending a good portion of the game on the sidelines due to foul trouble. She committed her fourth foul with six minutes remaining in the third quarter, and sat until the fourth.

“I gambled and put her back in,” said St. Charles Coach Erin Remondet. “They scored to go up eight, and I couldn’t wait anymore.”

Upon returning, Marzoni hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to five.

“She was locked in such a zone. She was shooting them from long, long range,” said Remondet.

Musacchia hit another three pointer to shave the lead to two, and made it a nip and tuck game.

After a Becker foul shot cut the Cajun lead to one with 20 seconds left, St. Charles had a chance to win the game after rebounding a Country Day missed free throw. But the Comets couldn’t convert, turning it over.

St. Charles was 8-17 from the foul line, which proved to be a major difference.

“We’d been winning games at the foul line,” said Remondet. “It wasn’t the case in this one. We really struggled.”

The Comets opened up tournament play on Thursday with a six-point win over Ben Franklin.

Becker led all scorers with 24 points. Marzoni added 11 and Brittany Roussel scored seven.

St. Charles trailed 22-19 at halftime, but St. Charles tied the game going into the fourth quarter and was able to attack the basket successfully against a bigger Ben Franklin team.

“We played well throughout,” said Remondet. “We played mostly zone, and we were able to get to the line when we went to the basket.”

The win was the seventh in eight games for St. Charles.

On Friday morning, Salmen opened up a 33-17 halftime lead on St. Charles, and the Comets could not recover.

Becker scored 14, and Marzoni added 12.

This time, the Spartan’s size advantage doomed St. Charles, especially on the boards.

“We were giving up three and four opportunities on each of their possessions,” said Remondet. “Even when we went to our zone, they were able to front us, reverse the ball and get it down low. They were very tough inside.”