Donovan leads Lady Broncos to season opener victory

HAMPDEN - Hampden Academy's Bailey Donovan scored in double digits for the game, and led the Lady Broncos to a 50-37 victory over the Messalonskee Eagles in a girls basketball mutual season opener at The Stable on Saturday afternoon.

 Hampden Academy's Bailey Donovan (23) puts up a shot while being defended by Messalonskee's Gabrielle Werner (3) and Brooke Martin (33) during the second quarter of a game in Hampden on Saturday. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

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The Broncos allowed Messalonskee to stay in the game through the entire first three quarters. They led 15-14 at the end of the first period, and 25-23 at half time. Hampden out scored the Eagles 13-10 in the third period to take a 38-33 lead into the final eight minutes.

Hampden's Megan Deans (center) looks to the hoop before putting up a shot during the first half. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Hampden began pulling away from Messalonskee in the final period with an early 4-0 run to lead 42-33 with 6:10 left in the game. The Broncos extended their score by improving to an 8-0 run for a 46-33 lead with 3:20 to play. They would close out the period with a 12-4 score for the 13 point victory. Donovan scored six points in the final quarter, and the team went a perfect 6-for-6 from the foul line.

Hampden's Alydia Brillant brings the ball up the floor during the second half. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Donovan scored a game high 18 points to lead the Lady Broncos in scoring, and Brillant added nine points. Sidney Hodgdon and Megan Deans each scored seven points, Camryn Bouchard had five points, and Amelia McLaughlin scored four.

Hampden had three 3-point baskets, one each from Brillant, Hodgdon, and Bouchard, and they went  13-for-18 from the charity stripe.

Messalonskee's Alyssa Genness (left) pulls away from Hampden's Sidney Hodgdon after grabbing a rebound. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Messalonskee was led in scoring by Emily Parent with 14 points and Gabrielle Werner with nine points. Bri Benecke added five points, Sarah Lowell scored four points, Grace Werner had three points, and Alyssa Genness chipped in with two points.

The Lady Eagles had five 3-point baskets, four by Parent and one by Ga. Werner, and they went 12-for-17 from the free throw line.

EAGLES  (0-1)   14  9 10  4 -- 37

BRONCOS (1-0) 15 10 13 12 -- 50