Old Bridge junior guard Leena Tran dribbles out of traffic in the third quarter against East Brunswick on January 20, 2022 (Photo: Mike Pavlichko)
The first time around, in the season opener, Old Bridge ran out to a 14-0 lead on East Brunswick, which clawed its way back, only to lose by two.
In their second meeting of the regular season Thursday night in East Brunswick, the script was almost completely reversed. The Bears stormed out to an 11-2 lead, but No. 8 Old Bridge clawed back, playing to within two at halftime at 28-26, and they came out with a 69-63 overtime win to take both games of the season series.
Down three in the third, Old Bridge finally tied it at 49-all with 4:30 to play, and sophomore Abby Jazmin’s big fourth quarter helped force overtime, tied at 57 apiece.
But getting to OT was almost a win in and of itself for Old Bridge. That’s because two key Bears fouled out late, in a game where both teams had multiple players in foul trouble. Senior guard Samantha Lederman – filling in for injured Nicole Motuseski at the position – fouled out with 1:24 to go, after junior Tamea El – a force down low – fouled out with 2:23 left.
Down their best ball-handler and low-post presence, Old Bridge took advantage, ratcheting up the pressure, forcing turnovers, and converting them into several buckets that proved the be the difference in the extra four minutes.
Junior guard Leena Tran led the Knights (7-3, 6-2) – who took sole possession of second place in the GMC Red Division with the win – with 20 points, 13 after intermission. East Brunswick (9-3, 5-3) junior Boorke Motusesky had a game-high 26, including four treys; she had five all season entering the evening.
Click below to hear Dominic Savino with postgame reaction from No. 8 Old Bridge’s win over East Brunswick: