Defense, free throws give Macs edge

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:04PM

With Mother McAuley moving its annual matchup with No. 16 Bogan from the end of the regular season to the beginning, the Mighty Macs knew they'd be challenged right away.

Consider test No. 1 passed, thanks to big defensive stops and big free throws down the stretch Wednesday night.

Molly Stasaitis hit five late free throws and Kelly Mehalek made a clinching steal as visiting Mother McAuley pulled out a 55-52 win in the season opener for both teams.

"We preach ‘D' all the time," said Mother McAuley coach Karen Ade, who made her return after missing most of last season on maternity leave. "That showed today. Kelly made a huge steal."

Margaret Wildner led the Mighty Macs with 16 points and five rebounds while Stasaitis added 13 points, nine in the fourth quarter.

Bogan, which had its season ended by Mother McAuley in a sectional semifinal last season, was led by Tesha Collins (17 points) and Chelsea Stone (12 points, five rebounds).

It was a nip-and-tuck affair all night, with the margin being four points or less for all but one minute of the game.

The game was tied at 50 when Kim Funk (five points) hit the biggest shot of the night for the Mighty Macs, driving down the lane and scoring on a finger roll with 1:32 to go.

Stasaitis hit three free throws in the last 56 seconds. Her last came after Collins nailed a jumper and made the lead 55-52 with 7.6 seconds to go.

"My teammates were so encouraging," she said. "I missed a couple (free throws), but they kept telling me they believed in me."

Bogan's last chance was thwarted when Mehalek stole the inbounds pass in the backcourt in the closing seconds.

"I think this gives us a lot of confidence," Ade said. "We have a great group of kids and one through 14, they can all play."

Wildner scored 11 points in the first half, including a second-quarter run that saw her score seven straight to give the Mighty Macs a 28-20 lead.

Bogan, though, scored the final eight points of the half to draw even, and it was back and forth the rest of the way.

Tatianna Ingram (eight points) and Brenna Nolan (six points, four rebounds) also contributed for McAuley.

"Bogan's usually one of our toughest games," Stasaitis said. "So getting our first win against them really sets the tone."

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