It was the rematch of a sectional quarterfinal playoff game last year, one in which Hillsborough had cruised – winning by 34 over East Brunswick – en route to the Central Jersey Group 4 title and a state Group 4 championship, the first in program history.

That Bears team finished 13-14, but this year’s was much improved, coming into Thursday night’s GMC vs. Skyland Conference matchup at 12-3.

But this one also went to the Raiders.

In a game heard on Central Jersey Sports Radio, No. 4 Hillsborough picked up a 70-52 win over visiting No. 6 East Brunswick, improving to 13-2 on the year, thanks in large part to a huge game from junior Alexa Gaspar, who finished with a career high 29 points.

That included 13 in the second quarter, in which the Raiders built a 19-point advantage, and led by 18 at the break.

East Brunswick would cut it to ten twice, with 2:45 left in the third, and 4:15 left in the game. But both times, Hillsborough countered with runs of their own, and never let the lead get back down to single digits.

Gaspar also had three triples in the game, while junior Victoria Leidl finished with 12, and Isabella Ruh had 11.

Sophomore Ava Catanho had 26 to lead East Brunswick (12-4), and was the only double-figure scorer in the game for the Bears.

The second quarter proved decisive, giving Hillsborough enough cushion to withstand a couple of second-half runs by East Brunswick.

Click below for postgame reaction from Hillsborough junior Alexa Gaspar and head coach Courtney Tierney, presented by Sportsplex at Metuchen!