Bradwell’s Mariah Maternik made five of six free throws in the final minute to stall a Lady Blue Jacket rally and help the Lady Tigers collect a 57-45 win Friday night at Savannah High.

The win improved BI to 14-0 overall and 8-0 in Region 3-AAAAA, but the Lady Tigers had to work for it.

"Tonight we played against a pretty decent ball club. We came out early and controlled the tempo, but good teams will make runs at you and Savannah did. We bent but didn’t break, so that was good," Bradwell coach Faye Baker said.

From the tipoff, Bradwell’s quick traps and midcourt steals created a real problem for the Lady Blue Jackets. The Lady Tigers led 9-0 before Savannah scored their first points.

Despite the Lady Blue Jackets’ ability to be a force on the boards, Bradwell held a comfortable 33-16 lead at the half.

"We didn’t do a very good job of blocking out. That is something that we stress in practice. We just need to work on it more so we are a more effective rebounding team. Savannah made adjustments to our press and picked up their tempo, which allowed them to stay in the game," Baker said.

Savannah forced contact on Bradwell players cutting to the basket in the second half, dictating the Lady Tigers run their offense from the perimeter instead of the paint.

The Lady Jackets gradually got to within 7 points of the Bradwell lead, but never could make up for their poor first quarter.

"I told the girls tonight that any given night any team can beat us. We have to be ready to play. We know we have got to work on the boards, but also a few times we had turnovers because we were dribbling the ball too much instead of creating more movement from passing, screening and making cuts. That is something that we work on in practice all of the time and, as we get closer to the end of the season, I would like to see us get better at movement in games," Baker said after the game.

The Lady Tigers had three players in double figures Friday night. Maternik led all scorers with 19 points. Shaquioa Crockett and KeAndra Frasier had 14 points each.

Bradwell 57, Savannah 45

Bradwell: Mariah Maternik 19, Shaquioa Crockett 14,KeAnrda Frasier 14, Symone May 4, Quintunya Chapman 2, Quinika Hatchell 2, Leila Leiataua 2, Latisha Frasier 2