Maddy Triskett scored 22 points in leading Berkshire to a 38-34 Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division win at Grand Valley on Wednesday.
With the win, the Badgers improved to 11-9 overall and 6-1 in league play.
“Playing Grand Valley at this point of the season is always tough,” said Berkshire coach James Bosley. “Everyone is getting prepared for tournament time but with so many connections between our two programs, it has become a good rivalry. We always know we are going to get their best effort.”
Triskett sparked the Badgers late in the second half when she drew a foul on a driving layup and then Caroline Kuchling followed up that with a 3-pointer right before the buzzer that gave the Badgers a 17-15 halftime lead.
It was more of the same in the third as Triskett scored six of her 22 in the frame.
Triskett added five rebounds and four steals. Kuchling finished with seven points, seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals, and Brooke Ruchalski contributed with six rebounds.
“It sounds a bit cliche to say it was a team effort that was able to get us a win, but everyone was contributing to the game,” Bosley said. “We got really good minutes from three off the bench tonight, Olivia Masink, Jenna Hornak, and Anna Brown. Our bench energy was great throughout the game. These girls are really hitting their peak at the right time.”
With the win, the Badgers remained in the hunt for the Valley Division title.
Berkshire will earn a share of the title with a win over Wickliffe on Saturday. The Badgers can win the title outright with a win and a Crestwood win over Kirtland on Saturday.
“We always want to win our league games and this one had a lot on the line as we are tied with Kirtland for the CVC Valley Division lead,” Bosley said. “It has been 11 years since Berkshire has won a division title in basketball and these girls want to change that. Every time we needed someone to step up or to make something happen, one of them did.”
Carly James led Grand Valley with 11 points and Dixie Miller also scored in double figures with 10 points.
