Falcons’ Second Half Run Carries Them Past Southridge

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Ridgeline vs Southridge</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Context</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top-seeded Ridgeline played Southridge for a spot deeper in the postseason. Ridgeline aimed to protect its position, while Southridge looked to upset a higher seed on the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>What Stood Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game began as a competitive, balanced contest through the first half. Ridgeline held a small edge at the end of the first quarter, 17-14, as both teams traded buckets and tested each other's defenses. The second quarter remained evenly contested, with Ridgeline matching Southridge point for point to go into halftime tied at 38-35. The real separation came after the break, when the Falcons turned up their execution both offensively and defensively. A strong third quarter outburst, outscoring Southridge 21-11, created the cushion that would carry through the final frame. In the fourth quarter, Ridgeline maintained control, limiting the Suns' looks and avoiding any late collapse. A 72-53 final reflected momentum tied to Ridgeline's ability to convert stops into sustained offense in the second half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Who Stood Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1753098"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6996577796330"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Axton was active from the opening tip. She scored early and often, including a pivotal three from beyond the arc that helped swing momentum toward Ridgeline in the first quarter. Her ability to space the floor and attack closeouts kept Southridge's defense honest and opened driving lanes for teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["918760"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699657779639d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sheridan was efficient and composed throughout the contest. She knocked down a key two-point basket late in the first quarter to give Ridgeline a narrow edge. Defender and facilitator, she controlled much of Ridgeline's second half tempo and helped the Falcons avoid turnovers in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["759432"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6996577796400"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Crowley's interior presence mattered. She hit her free throws when Southridge was climbing back, stretching the lead rather than allowing it to shrink in the early running. Her rebounding and ability to finish through contact ensured that Ridgeline maintained second-chance opportunities that hurt Southridge's momentum.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Taylor Luce","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Southridge","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69965777964a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Luce provided early offensive spark for Southridge, hitting a three that kept the Suns within striking distance in the first quarter. She remained a threat off the catch and while cutting to the basket, forcing Ridgeline to account for her on every possession. Her aggressiveness early helped Southridge stay competitive before Ridgeline lengthened its lead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Braeli McMullin","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Southridge","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699657779655a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McMullin's playmaking created opportunities for Southridge throughout the first half. She connected on multiple scoring opportunities, including three-point shots, that kept the Suns within a possession or two. As Ridgeline's pressure increased, her impact was evident.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was a classic playoff matchup that swung on execution after halftime. Southridge kept things close early with balanced scoring and aggressive looks, but Ridgeline's half court discipline and ability to convert stops into consistent offense opened the gap. Once the Falcons found a rhythm in the third quarter, Southridge had difficulty responding. Ridgeline's composure and deeper bench showed up when it mattered most, allowing them to control the closing minutes and earn the postseason victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->