Sullivan Defeats Borgia To Reach Championship Game

Behind 24 points from Mallory Shetley and 15 points from Clare Shetley, Sullivan came out ahead in a back-and-forth game Friday to defeat St. Francis Borgia 53-42 and advance to the Union Tournament championship.

Sullivan (14-1) played Borgia for the first time since Jan. 15, 2016 when the Knights won to reach the Union Tournament title game.

The teams swapped runs, with Borgia getting out to a 13-12 lead after one quarter, only to have Sullivan double up the Knights 16-8 in the second. Sullivan led 28-21 at the half.

Borgia trimmed the deficit after outscoring Sullivan 14-12 in the third quarter. Sullivan took its turn on top in the fourth, putting the Knights away for good.

“I was really proud of how our girls played,” said Sullivan head coach Jason Merkel. “We built up a lead, they closed the gap to four and we extended it again.”

Merkel said Borgia had no answer for Mallory Shetley. She shot 8-for-14, collected six rebounds, four steals and dished three assists.

“Borgia had no girl who could stop her,” Merkel said. “We put her in the high post, let her catch it and go at girls.

“She’s going to be a special player by the time it’s all said and done.”

Merkel said it was an emotional victory, since the programs have faced off for numerous championships throughout the years.

“Any time it’s Borgia-Sullivan, it’s going to be good,” he said.

Sullivan outrebounded the Knights (24-18) and took better care of the ball despite struggling shooting. The Lady Eagles more than doubled up Borgia at the free throw line with 26 attempts to Borgia’s 12.

Earlier

Sullivan and Borgia face off Friday in the semifinals of the 38th annual Union Lady Wildcats Invitational.

The Lady Eagles (13-1) defeated St. Charles West 61-33 on Monday, while Borgia edged Past Ladue 56-54.

The game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Sullivan is the defending tournament champion after upsetting Jefferson City last season and the Lady Eagles will look for a return to the title game.

Jeff City beat Cuba 68-29 in the first round on Tuesday, while Francis Howell Central got past Union 34-27.

The winners from Friday’s semifinals play for the championship Saturday at 5:30 p.m. The losers meet for third place at 4 p.m.

Sullivan Independent News

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