Pine Island girls’ basketball coach Rick Canton expected a patient Providence Academy team to shorten Wednesday’s Class 2A state tournament quarterfinal game at Target Center.

“We thought that was to our advantage,” Canton said.

But failing to make good on a limited number of scoring opportunities doomed the Panthers in a 33-22 loss. Defending champion Providence Academy of Plymouth built a 18-12 halftime edge and slowed the pace for much of the game.

Senior point guard Leah Szabla hit four of the Lions’ seven field goals and led all scorers with 19 points.

Canton said his team chose to pack it in defensively and not challenge Providence Academy on the perimeter for fear of surrendering easy lay-ups. Even so, the Lions’ patience surprised him.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a team that really did not want to shoot the ball,” Canton said.

Mattie Shelton’s three-pointer with one minute and 20 seconds remaining got Pine Island within six points at 29-22 but the Panthers did not score from there.

DAVID La VAQUE

1) Leah Szabla (Providence Academy)-The senior guard recorded 19 points in a game where she controlled much of the tempo. She also converted two foul shots with just 50 seconds remaining to put the Lions up by nine. 

2) Makenzie Murtha (Providence Academy)-Was second on the team with eight points, going 4 of 5 from the line. She scored 6 of her 8 points in the second half.

3) Mattie Shelton (Pine Island)-She lead the Panthers with six points, all of them coming in the second half. She also lead the team in rebounds with four.

Benjamin Bakker MN Girls Basketball Hub