Trailing by five points at halftime, the 12th-seeded Westfield High School girls basketball team knotted the score after three quarters but the fifth-seeded Elizabeth Minutemen stepped up just enough to pull out a 58-55 victory in the first round of the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 Tournament in Elizabeth on February 21. The Blue Devils finished their season with a 10-16 record, while the Lady Minutemen, just off claiming the Union County Tournament title, boosted their record to 17-9.

Blue Devil sophomore Sophie Lane scored 15 points, including five free throws, and added six rebounds and a block. Freshman Mairin Fowler put in 12 points, including a pair of 3pointers, dished out four assists and added two steals and a rebound. Senior Sara Rooney banged in trip 3pointers, pulled five rebounds and had a assist. Freshman Catherine Oliveira sank seven points, including a 3-pointer, grabbed five rebounds and had a steal.

Blue Devil freshman Lucy Burke finished with six points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Sophomore Megan Logan scored four points and added four rebounds and two blocks. Sophomore Darby Hubner had two points and a rebound. Junior Laura Oliveira pulled two rebounds.

FreshmanAlexa Koon led the Minutemen with a double-double (18 points, 11 rebounds) to go with four blocks and an assist. Senior Dynasty Chandler grabbed 18 rebounds, dished out six assists and added six points, five steals and a block. Sophomore Jah’nae Lembrick netted 16 points (6 free throws), had seven assists and added four rebounds and two steals. Junior Alani Gordon finished with 14 points (2 3-pointers), three assists, two steals and two rebounds. Junior Ashanti Dewalt finished with four points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Westfield 15 9 16 15 55 Elizabeth 18 11 11 18 58