PCA girls hoop team rallies
to knock off Roeper

Feb. 8, 2010, 8:40 p.m.

  The Plymouth Christian Academy girls basketball team saved its best for last Monday night against Birmingham Roeper.

  The Eagles outscored Roeper 14-3 in the fourth quarter to post a 35-32 road victory.

  PCA improved to 7-9 overall and 5-6 in the Michigan Independent Athletic Conference's Red Division. Roeper fell to 8-6 and 6-4, respectively.

  Kristin Malcolm led PCA with 12 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots. Bethany Hale (11 points) continued her hot shooting by connecting on three triples and Karen Windle contributed seven points and five rebounds.

  Ashley Pearson led the Roughriders with 17 points, but she was held scoreless in the fourth quarter thanks to a stellar defensive effort from Brianna Harris.

  The Eagles trailed 21-11 at the half and 29-21 after three quarters.

  "At halftime, I told the girls we were only down 10 even though we hadn't hit any shots," said PCA coach Carol Gerulis. "I told them we were going to press for the entire second half then I left the locker room and let them talk about it. They came out in the second half and really played well.

  "Roeper only has six players, so I think our pressure really wore them out in the second half."

  Windle hit a clutch free throw with 10 seconds remaining to give the Eagles a three-point lead. Roeper's last-second triple try to tie was unsuccessful.

  The Eagles host Lutheran Westland Thursday.