Rannigan, Allen combine for 38 points in TC victory

A good start, a quick feisty defense and a pair of players combining to score 38 points is what led Columbian to a hard-fought win over Fremont Ross Tuesday night.TC (4-2) led 15-8 after the first stop. Then Fremont Ross made a concerted effort to get the ball inside to Ava Jones, which was effective, but every time it would make a run, the Tornadoes had an answer – mainly Allen and Rannigan on the offensive end."It was nice to see some big shots fall for us tonight. We've been able to rely on our defense so far this year, but it was nice to pair that with some offense," TC first-year coach Morgan Harrigan said. "We know they can shoot, but finally connecting and seeing the ball go through the hoop to build our confidence was huge tonight."Mia Zeis began the game off with a three-point play for the Tornadoes, while Rannigan pushed the early lead to 13-4 after a 3-pointer later in the quarter.Ross was able to pull within 15-8 after a Lyndi Wolf triple at the end of the period. From there, it was almost even the rest of the way as TC edged Ross 40-38.TC led 22-15 at the half. Out of the half, Ross got the ball inside on almost every possession, letting Jones go to work. She tallied 15 of her 23 points in the second half as the Little Giants began to figure out TC's defense a bit and cut the lead down to 31-28 with a little time left in the third. But Allen responded with a big trey, Rannigan scored going to the rim and Allen buried another 3 to end the third as TC held a 39-30 advantage and the momentum."Coach has done a nice job with her team. They penetrate the ball well, they share the ball well and you need two or three shooters and it opens up everything," Little Giants coach Juan Vela said. "Then you're scrambling everywhere trying to play defense against that. They did a nice job spreading us out and attacking the rim for open looks."Offensively, I felt like we could've gotten more shots at the 3-point line, but our post did a nice job. We battled, but they were better tonight."A Jones bucket cut the TC lead to 43-37 with 4:35 left in the fourth, but once again, Allen splashed a 3-pointer and then Rannigan backed her up with her third of the game as the lead suddenly ballooned to 12. Ross kept coming, but TC always had an answer down the stretch."That's where we are really buying in and becoming a special team," Harrigan said of her team's defense. "Really solid half-court defense understanding to take away the paint and neutralizing their best players, which (Jones) took it to us today. The game plan was to double and when we did that, it worked out great, but when we forgot to double, she killed us. "I'm very proud of the buy-in we've had on defense. Talking to our senior class they've never played man-to-man defense in their life. So they've bought-in and they are seeing the results."Jones paced Ross with 23 points, while Bella Baptista added eight and Wolf ended with seven.Rannigan tallied 22 points and three assists for TC, followed by Allen with 16 points and 10 rebounds, Zeis with seven points, 11 boards and five steals, Lexi Beaston with six points and five assists and Abbie Felske with five points, seven rebounds and five steals.It will be a quick turnaround for the Tornadoes as they travel to unbeaten Norwalk (6-0) Thursday in SBC Lake action. Columbian 55, Fremont Ross 46Ross (3-5): Jasmin Heidelburg 2-0-4; Karina Hensinger 0-0-0; Bella Baptista 3-1-8; Maylin DeWalt 1-0-3; Shaniyah McDuffy 0-0-0; Camilia Sanchez 0-1-1; Lanae' Tucker 0-0-0; Lyndi Wolf 3-0-7; Ava Jones 9-5-23. Totals: 18-7-46.TC (4-2): Mia Zeis 3-1-7; Marissa Allen 4-5-16; Maggie Rannigan 9-1-22; Abbie Felske 2-1-5; Lexi Beaston 2-2-6; Maddy Richie 0-2-2. Totals: 13-11-55.Ross&emsp;&emsp;8&emsp;&emsp;7&emsp;&emsp;15&emsp;&emsp;16&emsp;&emsp;– 46TC&emsp;&emsp;15&emsp;&emsp;7&emsp;&emsp;17&emsp;&emsp;16&emsp;&emsp;– 553-point goals: Ross 3 (Baptista, Wolf, DeWalt); Columbian 6 (Allen 3, Rannigan 3).Foul shots: Ross 7-14; Columbian 11-17Turnovers: Ross 14; Columbian 18