BALTIMORE, Ohio -- Bloom Carrol stayed in the race for a MSL title with their dominating win over Liberty Union on Monday night. The Bulldogs experienced a slow start but the offensive effort by sophomore Emily Bratton gave them the edge they needed in the second quarter. BC outscored the Lions 44-18 over the final three frames en route to a 53-25 victory. 

Sophomore Marissa Wilkinson came out of the locker room on fire, connecting from three twice to start the game. Two free throws by Bratton pushed the lead to 8-0 with 2:16 left in the first before junior Delaney Peck completed a three point play. 

After one made free throw by Bulldog junior Alyssa Brown, Peck and senior Ember McClaskey converted on back to back layups to cut the lead just before the end of the quarter. Bloom Carroll held a narrow 9-7 lead heading into the second. 

Peck started the second quarter with two free throws but Bratton started to take over. First, she drained a three from the right wing, assisted on a layup by Natalie Lang and finished a left handed drive. Emma Seagraves converted back to back layups and Bratton finished a nifty spin move step back jumper to wrap up a 13-0 run in the second quarter. 

Liberty Union did not convert on a field goal until 0:14 left in the quarter when E. Brown sank a three. The Bulldogs effectively expanded their lead and with two quarters to play, the score was 22-12. 

Brown connected on her second three to open the third; however, this would be their only field goal and points of the quarter. Bratton continued her domination and this quarter, senior Reese Pittman joined the party. Bratton finished a drive and assisted on two threes from Pittman. 

Lang made another layup and Bratton finished a layup that took her from coast to coast. Junior Sophia Haughn sank a three of her own before Bratton nailed back to back threes to end the quarter. Heading into the final frame, Bloom Carroll boasted a 43-15 lead. 

Both teams traded baskets in the fourth. Bratton and Wilkinson scored five straight but McClaskey answered with a free throw. Haughn connected on her second three but McClaskey finished a layup. Brown converted a layup for the Bulldogs but Peck and M. Love scored five straight to cut the lead. 

Bratton led all scorers with 21 and Wilkerson added nine for the Bulldogs. Peck paced the Lions with nine and McClaskey added seven.

Let’s take a look at Monday’s top performer.

Emily Bratton (5’7 PG / Bloom Carroll / 2024) - Bratton is one of the best point guards around and she is only a sophomore. She has the ball on a string, handles it equally well with both hands and is nearly ambidextrous when it comes to passing. She has great footwork when getting to the rim and in the midrange and can catch and shoot all day (three made three pointers Monday). She can score any way she wants: from very deep, left and right handed drives, step backs in the midrange and in transition. She makes excellent decisions with the ball and makes her teammates better. She is a great defender, anticipates well and is an incredibly consistent rebounder. Bratton is surely a next level player and will make big splashes with two seasons left at Bloom Carroll.