The Coliseum, 1st Round – In the first round of the Italy Invitational Tournament, the Italy Varsity Lady Gladiators would have to come from behind to beat the Venus Lady Bulldogs to make it to the second round.

The Coliseum, 1st Round – Venus got out to a quick start and had a 9-0 lead before Marisela Perez inbounds to Becca DeMoss for a 3 pointer at the 3:04 mark of the first period of the game. Venus answered by scoring the next 4 points to make the score 13-3. Italy’s Head Coach Stacy McDonald then called for a unique double screen offensive set that confused the Venus defense. Italy’s Kyonne Birdsong was then able to drive down the middle of the lane for an Italy score, and the period ended with Venus leading 13-5.

Italy’s DeMoss hit a short jumper to make it 13-7 at the 7:00 mark of the second period. Birdsong then drives the lane and scores on Italy’s next possession to pull Italy closer 13-9. Venus gets an open shot under the basket at the 6:12 mark to make it 15-9. Later, DeMoss gets fouled shooting, but hits both free throws to make it 15-11. Then Italy’s Shay Fleming scores off of an assist from Megan Richards to make the score 15-13 with 4:30 left in the first half.

Venus gets fouled and hits both free throws but DeMoss counters with a difficult turnaround jumper on the base line making it 17-15 with 2:45 remaining. Richards finds Fleming who hits to tie the game 17-17. Italy’s defense stays aggressive but struggles to convert turnovers into points. Venus manages to earn a shooting foul and hits both free throws incresasing their lead 19-17 with 2:10 left. Venus scores the next 4 points but Jimesha Reed passes to Fleming who puts it in, and the score at half time is 23-19 with Venus leading.

In the third period, Reed scores quick to tie the game 23-23. Italy then takes the lead when DeMoss hits a jumper from the right elbow to make it 25-23. Reed rebounds a miss and puts it back in making the score 27-23 with 5:50 left in the third. After some back and forth play, DeMoss dishes to Reed to make the score 29-23 at the 4:17 mark. Venus responds with a score to make it 29-25.
Italy’s Blanca Figueroa set up DeMoss with a pass who hits a 3-pointer to raise Italy’s advantage 32-25. DeMoss then comes up with a steal and takes it to the hoop to give Italy a 34-25 lead.

Italy, who started off the game behind 9-0, was now leading by 9-points with 3:35 left in the third. The third period would end as DeMoss’s half-court launch catches the front of the rim and the score is still 36-25 heading into the fourth.

Figueroa went down after contact to the face but gathered herself and stayed in the game as a strong display of Senior leadership. Venus scored the first 4-points of the fourth quarter. Then at the 5:13 mark, DeMoss responds with a 3-pointer to make the score 39-29.

DeMoss followed that with a defensive rebound and drove all the way for a layup, keeping Italy ahead 41-29. Venus retaliated with 4 straight points making the score 41-33. DeMoss scores off an inbound pass, but Venus gets a lay in of their own with 2:07 remaining in the game, and the score is now 43-35 with Italy ahead. Italy’s Perez gets back-to-back steals, but Italy can’t convert. Venus was able to steal the ball and score 2-points, but Italy would hold on and win the first round game of the tournament defeating the Venus Lady Bulldogs 43-37.

The magical first round comeback also gave the Italy Varsity Lady Gladiators their first win of the season. Job well done Ladies!

Italy Senior Captain Becca DeMoss led all scorers with 25-points.