CSCS cruises past Manitou

Colorado Springs Christian jumped out to a 6-0 lead and never looked back in a 40-27 victory over Manitou Springs on Thursday.

Stephanie Thompson and Courtney Jackson led CSCS (7-3, 1-0) with 12 points each. Jackson scored six of her points in the first quarter as CSCS cruised to a 14-4 lead.

Carrie Leerberg scored six of her team-high 12 points in a second quarter comeback for Manitou (4-4, 0-1) as it held CSCS to a free throw and cut the lead to 15-12.

"I think we did exactly what we set out to do," Manitou coach Bridget O'Connor said.

"We played a good half of basketball, and we played good defense. If we cut down on our errors, it's a different game."

CSCS increased its lead to 13 points in the third quarter, with Jackson scoring six more points.

Manitou's only points in the period came on a 3-pointer by Jillian Keavenly, who had 7 points.

"I think we started getting our heads in the game in the second half," Thompson said. "We started feeding the ball to the post more. That opened things up."

In the fourth, Manitou was led by six points from Leerberg and four from Misty See.

Thompson's six points and Heather Bowen's four points helped CSCS keep pace.

"We were just not shooting well, either on the interior or the perimeter tonight," CSCS coach J. Mason Young said.

"We played mechanical basketball. We went from spot to spot, instead of making adjustments when there was a defender in the way.

"We tried to force some things. It was an ugly win, but it was a win."

CSCS is at Woodland Park in a nonleague game on Jan. 16.

Manitou hosts Fountain Valley on the 18th.

- Paul G. Wallace may be reached at 636-0250 or gtsports@gazette.com

Girls basketball

CSCS 40

Manitou 27

HIGHLIGHT: Stephanie Thompson and Courtney Jackson score 12 points apiece for CSCS.

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