By Noah Krawchick

The Maury High School Commodores defeated the Lake Taylor High School Titans 51-17 on Wednesday Feb. 4.

Maury won through their suffocating defense which turned into offense.

The Lady Commodores played some of their best defense of the season, holding the Titans to only 17 points and only two in the fourth quarter. Maury’s defense got many steals, never allowing Lake Taylor to consistently get the ball up court or establish a clean offensive rhythm. Those turnovers gave Maury easy fast break layups.

Lake Taylor went to the line 11 times in the game, but they only made 33 percent of their 21 free throws.

Lamari Budd led all scorers with 27 points, over half of Maury’s points. Budd also tallied a game-leading seven three-pointers. 

Head coach Julius Owens named her as the star of the game and said “[Budd’s] shooting and [the team’s] exceptional defense in the second half” were the keys to victory. 

Other offensive standouts were Nyla Brown with nine and Zyonna Mosley with six. 

Maury’s next games will be at home and against Norfolk Academy Feb.9 and away against Warwick Feb. 11.