GIRLS: Purcell Marian overcomes foul trouble to its star to down Millbrook

CARY -- A slow start and foul trouble to a highly-touted player didn’t derail Purcell Marian. The Cavaliers, from Cincinnati, advanced to the Wonderland Semifinals after defeating Raleigh Millbrook 62-54 in a game where the Wildcats had control for a majority. Dee Alexander, the consensus No. 1 player in the Class of 2025, struggled with foul trouble and picked up her fourth early in the third quarter, but the Cavaliers stepped up in her absence. Purcell Marian took a 16-15 lead after the first quarter, but Millbrook’s defense was paramount in the second. A 3-pointer form Ivory Galloway triggered a 9-0 run as the Wildcats kept the Cavaliers scoreless for 5:13. Millbrook went up by as many as 11, taking a 29-23 lead into the break. Purcell Marian got within two twice in the third quarter, the latter happening on a 3-pointer by Jayda Mosley late. On the other end, Millbrook responded with a 3-point play by Ellie Mosler as the Wildcats eventually took a 47-44 advantage into the fourth. The Cavaliers broke through in the fourth, using a 10-0 run to establish control of the game. Jayda Mosley’s 3-pointer with 3:10 to play put Purcell Marian up 53-51 and another perimeter shot from Cy’Aira Miller punctuated the spurt. Millbrook got within three on a Reychel Douglas basket inside, but Mosley hit another 3 to ice the game. Mosley had 20 points for Purcell Marian with Alexander adding 16 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and four steals. Ky’Aira Miller also had 13 points and four assists for the Cavaliers. For Millbrook, Douglas had 18 points and Ivory Galloway added 16 points, six rebounds and four steals.