![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.13thregionmedianetwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/untitled-4-39-1024x908.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"SOMERSET \u2014 North Laurel hooked up in a defensive battle but managed to pull off the win by defeating Southwestern, 48-36, on the road Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lady Jaguars entered the game losing two of their last three games but got back on track while improving to 12-5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis was a good road win for us, but it was far from our best basketball,\u201d North Laurel coach Eddie Mahan said. \u201cDefensively, we had too many breakdowns in our rotations and our communication wasn\u2019t where it needs to be. We were fortunate at times that Southwestern didn\u2019t fully capitalize on those mistakes, because against better teams those lapses will hurt you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOffensively, we were pretty stagnant for long stretches,\u201d he added. \u201cWe didn\u2019t move the ball or ourselves nearly enough, and that allowed the defense to sit on us instead of having to work. When we did get into the paint, share it, and play with pace, we saw better results, but we didn\u2019t sustain that consistently throughout the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe positive is that even with those issues, we found a way to win on the road,\u201d Mahan continued. \u201cThat says something about our toughness and ability to grind through games when things aren\u2019t clicking. Now the challenge is cleaning up the details better talk, sharper rotations, and more purpose on the offensive end, because that\u2019s what will separate us moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The game was close throughout with the Lady Jaguars holding an 18-10 lead at the end of the first quarter, and 25-20 at halftime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mariella Claybrook scored five points while Laylee Phillips added four points in the third quarter, pushing North Laurel\u2019s edge to 36-26 entering the fourth quarter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bella Mahan knocked down a huge 3-pointer while Bella Lewis came through at the free-throw line, hitting all four of her attempts, allowing North Laurel\u2019s edge to pull away in the final eight minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n