Grant hits 33 for Irish

Tyra Grant's future coach at Penn State, Rene Portland, was on hand to see the senior's big game.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
Vindicator Correspondent
YOUNGSTOWN -- Ursuline High senior standout Tyra Grant had more than a couple of reasons to have a big game Monday night at Cardinal Mooney.
The Irish were coming off a 65-39 loss to West Virginia power Mt. DeChantal on Saturday and were facing their fierce rival.
If that weren't enough to get Grant and her teammates motivated, then having Penn State coach Rene Portland in the stands certainly did.
Grant, who signed a letter of intent to play basketball for Penn State, poured in 33 points with her future college coach watching as the Irish raced from the gate to defeat the Cardinals, 69-40, in a non-league game.
Only one of the two matchups between the two teams this season counts in the Steel Valley Conference standings.
"I tried not to be nervous," said Grant about playing the Cardinals with Portland in attendance. "I just tried to focus and play like I know how to play and beat Mooney.
"For [Portland] to be here and for me to show her what I could do was even better."
Grant also grabbed four rebounds, had four assists and blocked two shots.
Grant had strong start
Grant seemed pressed to score early in the game, and put up 10 field goals to score 10 points in the first quarter and help the Irish rush out to a 18-7 lead.
While Grant was impressive on the offensive end, it was Ursuline's defense that was in top form against the Cards.
The Irish (8-4) allowed Mooney only four shots from the field in the first quarter and 12 by halftime, as Ursuline's speed and athleticism hampered the Cardinals' attack.
"They're a great defensive team," said Mooney coach Jack Bermann. "Sure they have Tyra and she's a great scorer but [Ursuline coach] Sean [Durkin] doesn't get enough credit with what he does with that defense.
"They are a good team with more than just Grant. Their other girls are all good players."
Good support from teammates
While Grant forced the action most of the game, it was the play of Ursuline's other players that were a thorn in the side for Mooney.
When Grant did miss a shot, Danielle Crafter, Tiffany Miller and Brittany Armour were around the basket for rebounds and second shots. Guard Vanessa Dickson ran the team from her guard position and Mariah Snyder played great defense.
Crafter finished with 10 points and had seven rebounds while Dickson added eight points. Armour and Miller also scored six points apiece for Ursuline.
"No team is one player," Grant said. "I have great teammates who do so many things well. If teams want to over-guard me then I can pass to a lot of girls who can make baskets."
After the Irish opened up a 37-17 halftime lead, Ursuline outscored Mooney 24-12 in the third quarter to put the game away.
Ursuline built the lead to 61-29 early in the final quarter before the junior varsity players for both teams finished out the game.
Ursuline was ready
"It was good that we got to play Mooney coming off the loss Saturday," Durkin said. "I don't have to do any motivating to get the team up for this game.
"We played good defense and we were able to limit their shot opportunities with our pressure."
Mooney did get nice efforts from Dayna Daltorio who scored 11 points while Sarah Pelini added nine points.
The Cardinals (4-6) shot an impressive 16-of-29 from the field (55 percent) but just couldn't put up enough shots to get back in the game after falling behind early.