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Preps

Albury helps Warriors avenge loss to Pirates

CRYSTAL RIVER -- With a familiar face back in its lineup, Seven Rivers Christian got out to a fast start en route to a 45-35 road win against Crystal River.

Danielle Albury returned to the Warriors and had 19 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks.

Albury missed two days of basketball this week to make a volleyball recruiting trip to the University of Tampa. She scored eight in the first quarter as Seven Rivers built an early 10-4 lead. Albury said after the game that she will likely commit to Tampa.

"Her leadership throughout the game was awesome," Seven Rivers assistant coach Scott Lyons said.

Albury didn't go it alone. Freshman Lacey Lyons scored eight of her 14 in the second to give the Warriors a 20-9 halftime lead. Seven Rivers opened the second half with an 8-0 run that resulted in a 19-point lead.

Crystal River did not reach double digits until two free throws by Ashley Bullion made it 28-11 with 3 minutes, 12 seconds remaining in the third. That was the beginning of the Pirates' own 8-0 spurt, and they cut the lead to seven with less than a minute remaining.

But Warriors junior Amy Cortese had five assists and eight of her nine points in the fourth to help preserve the win for Seven Rivers. The Warriors made 13 free throws in the final quarter, including six by Cortese, who was playing despite a broken finger.

"I'm proud of our girls down the stretch knocking down free throws," Lyons said. "I cannot say enough about Amy Cortese."

Seven Rivers is one win away from matching the school record of 16 after avenging an earlier loss to the Pirates. The Warriors lost to the Pirates on Jan.3, and Lyons said he watched the game tape four times to make adjustments.

Crystal River coach Brent Hall said he was disappointed in the way his team started the game. The Pirates scored 17 of their 35 in the fourth-quarter rally.

"We didn't put our heads down and kept playing hard and that says something," Hall said. "Give credit to Seven Rivers, they played a good game and deserved to win."

Casandra Vega had 14 points, five rebounds and three steals, and Bullion scored 10. Amber Clark and Kellie McKinley each grabbed eight rebounds.

"They played hard the whole night," Hall said of the pair. "But until we get some rhythm in our offense and some continuity, we're going to be hot and cold."

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