Fenwick has built a 20-2 record this season behind an amazing offense, but it was defense that anchored the Friars’ 43-30 victory Wednesday against No. 9 Carmel in Mundelein.
The No. 5 Friars (6-0 East Suburban Catholic) led 7-6 after the first quarter but broke away behind a pair of three-pointers from Kristin Heidloff and six points from Devereaux Peters to lead 25-13 at halftime.
“This game was won defensively,” Fenwick coach Dave Power said. “This was huge for us, [to] put us in good position to try to win our 10th [conference title] in a row.”
Peters and Brittany Johnson (11 points each) paced the Friars, who built a 32-20 edge heading into the final quarter. Caitlin Kromback scored nine for the Corsairs (18-3, 4-1), who had won 14 in a row since losing to Fenwick 60-52 on Nov. 29 at the Niles North Invitational.
“That was our worst game of the year,” Carmel coach John Ryan said. “We had great looks at the basket early in the game. If those shots had dropped, it’d be a different game. But once those shots didn’t drop and they got a little lead, now it’s a struggle.”
