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DeLaSalle keeps winning streak alive with tight victory over rival Holy Angels

By Ben Grundhauser, SportsEngine, 01/07/20, 4:00PM CST

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Sydney Runsewe paved the way to an Islanders victory with 26 points, helping her team win their fifth straight game after starting the season with an 0-3 record.

DeLaSalle's Nurjei Weems (22) split Holy Angels defenders Francesca Vascellaro (left) and Becky Little for two of her 22 points. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

DeLaSalle's Nurjei Weems (22) split Holy Angels defenders Francesca Vascellaro (left) and Becky Little for two of her 22 points. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

DeLaSalle found itself the winner in each of three games it played against rival Holy Angels a season ago, including in the Class 3A state tournament.

The Islanders’ run of success against the Stars continued Tuesday night with DeLaSalle picking up an 83-79 triumph over Holy Angels in a Tri-Metro Conference matchup at the Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield.

The game was as good as advertised, with both teams pushing the floor and attacking the basket. For DeLaSalle, ranked No. 1 in Class 3A by Minnesota Basketball News, defense was key in the opening minutes as No. 2-3A Holy Angels struggled to get the ball past half court.

“That’s our bread and butter,” said Islanders coach Tanysha Scott. “We play a lot of teams that have active guards, so we want to get them out of their offense and not let them get set.”

The three-point shooting of Sydney Runsewe (15) set the pace for DeLaSalle in the first half. She scored 15 of her 26 points in the game's first 18 minutes. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

The three-point shooting of Sydney Runsewe (15) set the pace for DeLaSalle in the first half. She scored 15 of her 26 points in the game's first 18 minutes. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

First Report

DeLaSalle used full-court pressure and the deep ball to take down Tri-Metro Conference foe Holy Angels 83-79 on Tuesday night at the Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield. 

In a matchup between the top two teams in Class 3A, DeLaSalle came out on top thanks to Sydney Runsewe, who made eight three-pointers and had 26 points, and a double-double from Nurjei Weems. 

Weems tallied 22 points and 11 rebounds, while the Islanders, ranked No. 1 in Class 3A by Minnesota Basketball News, utilized full-court pressure on defense to stymie the No. 2-3A Stars. The Islanders also got 13 points from Savannah White and 10 points from Kiani Lockett.

DeLaSalle (5-3, 1-0) started strong early, but Holy Angels responded, and led by as many as eight points in the second half before the Islanders crawled back in, ultimately putting the game away at the free-throw line. 

Francesca Vascellaro totaled 26 points and 11 rebounds to pace the Stars (6-4, 0-1) who have lost four straight games to DeLaSalle dating back to last season. Holy Angels’ Kassandra Caron had 17 points and Rachel Kawiecki added 15.

Holy Angels junior Rachel Kawiecki turned the ball over under heavy pressure from Kiani Lockett (left) and I'Tianna Salaam late in the game. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

Holy Angels junior Rachel Kawiecki turned the ball over under heavy pressure from Kiani Lockett (left) and I'Tianna Salaam late in the game. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

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