Marissa Munsell drained a 3-pointer with 20 seconds remaining in the game to lead Orange to a 46-44 win over visiting Chagrin Falls on Wednesday in the Chagrin Valley Conference opener for both teams.
“It was a great win for our first game at home and a great way to start in the CVC,” Orange coach Ship Collins said.
The Lions, who improved to 3-1 overall, led 42-41 when Munsell hit her long-range shot.
Orange led 18-14 after the first quarter and took a 24-20 lead into the locker room at halftime. The Lions extended their lead to 37-29 heading into the fourth.
Chagrin Falls outscored Orange in the final eight minutes, 15-9, but it was Munsell’s big shot and Kayden Lawson’s free throws down the stretch that prevented the Tigers from making a comeback.
Lawson finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Lions while Casey Smith also scored 15 points and added five steals and four blocks.
“It was our defense today that really gave us the push we needed over Chagrin tonight,” Collins said.
Julia Santamaria led Chagrin Falls with 16 points and Bella Dalessandro added 15 points.
Orange 46, Chagrin Falls 44
Chagrin Falls (2-2): Santamaria 16, Dalessandro 15, Karyo 4, Bencko 3, Houston 3, Kwasny 2, Thombs 1
Orange (3-1): Lawson 15, Smith 15, Munsell 9, Hudson 4, Sanford 3
Chagrin Falls 14 6 9 15 — 44
Orange 18 6 13 9 — 46
Free throws: Chagrin Falls 5 of 11, Orange 10 of 15; 3-pointers: Chagrin Falls 5 (Dalessandro 3), Orange 2 (Lawson, Munsell); Rebounds: Chagrin Falls 25 (Santamaria 9); Assists: Chagrin Falls 6 (Dalessandro 2)
