Depending on perspective, the Muskego girls basketball team's 38-27 win over host Franklin on Friday featured either stellar defensive play on both ends of the court or shooting displays horrific enough to make you want to cover your eyes.
Either way, Muskego coach Brian Hirtz will take the victory.
Despite 22 turnovers and perhaps its worst offensive game of the season, Muskego pulled out the 11-point road win and remained tied with Racine Case for the Southeast Conference lead.
Junior guard Alyssa Colla scored eight of her game-high 13 points in the second half, and Katie Ellerson finished with 10 as the Warriors improved to 11-3 overall, 7-1 conference.
"I'm pleased with the defense, no doubt about that. We've been playing pretty great defense the last few weeks," Hirtz said. "Offense, I don't really worry too much. These kids can light it up and make plays for us and make things happen. It was just one of those games where shots weren't falling, but we got to the line and made some free throws."
It was Muskego's fifth straight win over Franklin.
Franklin's lead doesn't last
The Sabers (8-8, 4-4) took a 22-20 lead with 6 minutes, 55 seconds left in the third quarter on Taylor Atkinson's drive to the hoop. But Muskego turned up the defensive intensity and went on an 11-0 run that put the Sabers away.
Franklin committed eight turnovers and missed all three of its shots throughout the remainder of the third and endured a scoring drought of 7:44 in the second half.
"I was really disappointed with our effort and execution of the plays," Franklin coach Ron Kluth said. "It's very disheartening because the way we practice is not what we did out there tonight."
Third quarter was key
Muskego's strong third quarter helped erase a terrible second during which the Warriors made just one of 12 shots, eight of which were 3-pointers.
"I thought we started the game really good, but then we got into a lull and started taking a lot of quick shots," Hirtz said. "We're a quick-scoring team and sometimes we're a quick-shooting team and rush some shots up. It was just one of those quarters where it wasn't falling for us."
Muskego made just nine of 26 shots (two of 11 3-pointers), but was aided by 12-of-14 shooting from the free-throw line.
Nikki Dailey had eight points for Franklin, which made just four of 16 3-point attempts and one of seven free throws.
"Our free-throw shooting was just horrendous," Kluth said. "I don't know what to do anymore. Is it a mental thing? I just don't get it, and we can't stay with teams if we can't make our free throws."
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