Marquette, MI – December 27th, 2016 – Back to work after the Christmas break for the Marquette Redettes as they took on the Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils for the first in a series of games. Marquette took the opening tip-off, and they were able to put the first point of the game onto the scoreboard. The Redettes broke out to an early six point advantage, however, just past the mid point of the first quarter, the Blue Devils looked like they might make a comeback. However, the Redettes held strong, and they had a six point lead going into the second.
First Quarter Score
Marquette Redettes: 13
Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils: 7
It was a great start to the game for the Marquette Redettes, as they held a six point lead going into the second, and they were quick to continue the scoring trend. Two minutes in, Marquette was leading by eight points, but again, they were unable to completely shake the Blue Devils. Sault Ste. Marie began having some foul trouble with the quick Marquette team, and that allowed the Redettes to maintain a ten point lead. With two minutes before halftime, Marquette led 27-16, but the Blue Devils closed the gap to within five with 1:08 left.
First Half Score
Marquette Redettes: 33
Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils: 18
The Marquette Redettes’ lead steadily grew throughout the first half, and they looked to keep the intense play going throughout the second, even as the Blue Devils came out of the locker room with renewed fight. Marquette was having an excellent game with free throw shooting, scoring nearly 85% of their attempts. That allowed the Redettes to keep their ten point lead as the quarter passed the halfway mark. It was a remarkably even game in the third quarter, and it seemed as though the Blue Devils would have given Marquette quite a run if they hadn’t fallen behind in the first half.
Third Quarter Score
Marquette Redettes: 45
Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils: 29
Going into the last quarter, the Marquette Redettes held a commanding lead, nearly 20 points, over Sault Ste. Marie. Neither team scored in the first minutes of the final quarter, but the Blue Devils were trying everything they could think of to get a run going as they scored the first points of the quarter. Each point that the Blue Devils scored was answered almost immediately by the Redettes, and that kept them securely in the lead as the minutes ticked off the play clock. It was a largely quiet final quarter, and it seemed as though the refs would just let the play go on instead of blowing the whistle for any possible fouls.
Final Game Score
Marquette Redettes: 56
Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils: 36
