Girls basketball: East beats Greenfield; snaps eight-game losing streak

Brookfield East's girls basketball team rallied in the final quarter and defeated Greenfield, 39-34, Tuesday in a non-conference road game and snapped an eight-game losing streak.

The Spartans improved to 3-10 overall, but they are still 0-5 in the GMC after losing a 60-26 decision at Divine Savior Holy Angels on Friday.

East led 17-10 after one quarter, but then both teams couldn't score much (3-3) in the second quarter as the Spartans took a 20-13 lead into halftime. But the Hustlin' Hawks went on a 13-5 run in the third period to take a 26-25 lead going into the fourth period.

But East had a 14-8 fourth quarter and held on to beat the Hustlin' Hawks (2-11). Sophomore Christy Johnson had 17 points, including three 3-pointers to lead East.

The Dashers (7-3) are tied for second (4-1) in the conference with Menomonee Falls (4-1, 11-2) behind unbeaten Sussex Hamilton (5-0, 9-0).

East trailed in a competitive first quarter, trailing only 9-7, but the Dashers exploded for a 17-4 run in the second period to take a 26-11 lead into intermission. A 25-7 third quarter put the game further out of reach going into the fourth period (51-18). East was only outscored 9-8 in the final period, meaning they played the Dashers tough in the first and last quarter (18-15).

Freshman Kellie Goodman had 10 points and Johnson nine, while DSHA was led by outstanding freshman Arike Ogunbowale and junior Maggie Novak with 15 and 13 points, respectively.

"Against DSHA, at the end of the second quarter and start of the third, we were just worn down," coach Kelly Lam said. "They were an aggressive team and we couldn't battle all four quarters with them."

East's Goodman was 6-of-7 (.857) from the free-throw line as the Spartans were 9-of-12 from the free-throw line (.750) while DSHA was 15-of-20 (.750).

The Spartans opened the week Jan. 3 by dropping a 49-24 non-conference decision at Whitefish Bay.

East scored only eight, three, five and eight points in each quarter, never reaching 10 points.

The Blue Dukes led 17-8 after the first period and 30-11 at intermission. Johnson scored six points to lead the Spartans while Maya Jones had 15 points to lead Whitefish Bay.

The Spartans managed five 3-pointers, two from Johnson.

"With each game we are building confidence and improving which is the most important thing," Lam said. "We are starting off the game strong but we have yet to put a full game together.

"I'm happy to see us playing as a team and we are beginning to learn from our past mistakes. Our offense is looking better and now our shots just need to fall."