The Mercy Academy basketball team overcame a slow start to beat Central 67-51 on Tuesday in the first round of the Republic Bank/Coca-Cola Consolidated Louisville Invitational Tournament at Bellarmine University’s Knights Hall.
Down 25-16 late in the first half, the No. 14-ranked Jaguars (13-8) put together a 30-8 run spanning halftime to take control against the Yellowjackets (12-7).
“We became the aggressor,” Mercy coach Keith Baisch said. “In the first half Central was attacking us and doing pretty much what they wanted. They were the enforcer.”
Jessica Laemmle had 15 points, six rebounds and four assists to lead Mercy, which will face Eastern in a second-round game at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Josie Woods added 14 points.
Stephonie Cole led Central with 12 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
Central led 25-16 on Precious Hereford’s 3-pointer with 2:41 left in first half. Mercy pulled within 27-25 at halftime and opened the third quarter with a 21-6 surge, taking a 46-33 lead on Laemmle’s layup at the 2:09 mark.
CENTRAL 13 14 10 14 – 51
MERCY 12 13 23 19 – 67
Central (12-7) – Evans 6, Guin 6, Hereford 11, Glass 2, Hayes 2, Neal 10, Cole 12, New 2.
Mercy (13-8) – Diersing 3, Reese 2, Schmitz 4, Zeisloft 2, Berger 8, J. Woods 14, Muss 2, M. Woods 9, Laemmle 15, Muthler 4, Feldkamp 4.
3-point goals – Hereford 3, Cole; Berger, J. Woods 2, M. Woods, Laemmle.