After a slow start to the game, Pembroke seniors Hailey Steinmetz and Tessa Love hit the gas, screening, blocking and rebounding to kick start the turnaround.
Two of the heaviest hitters in Division II girls’ basketball faced off Tuesday night as Pembroke (8-0) hosted Bow (7-1) with a final score of 58-37.
In the first half, the Spartans’ senior forward Kate Stephens and junior guard Anne Phillips poured in nine and 12 points, respectively, to take a commanding lead of 33-18. But it was the other pieces of the puzzle that contributed to their efficacy.
Steinmetz and Love said the team’s chemistry gelled this year. The game against a staunch Falcon defense and quick offense forced them to focus as a unit on every play, which paid off.
“We’ve proven that we’ve taken a step up these past few years and we’ve worked hard for all that we’ve gotten so far,” Steinmetz said postgame.
“Super tight-knit group,” Love added. “We trust each other one hundred percent and it really helps on the court.”
Junior guard Anne Phillips hits the floor to grab a jump ball against Bow’s Bella Berg. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Senior forward Hailey Steinmetz (11) rises in the paint against Bow to score. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Pembroke’s Kate Stephens (10) is fouled inside by Bow’s defense. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Pembroke’s Tessa Love (12) contests Bow freshman forward Bella Berg’s shot in the second half. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor
The unsettled start gave Bow an early 7-3 lead, but the more experienced Spartans didn’t let it affect their game plan. The sets were clean and well executed, and the effects of new head coach Noah Cummings’ lessons were apparent.
Cummings said the offense has worked to find the best shot available, and their patience is only growing. Defensively, he had no complaints.
“We’re just going to have to continue to play the way we want to play and not feed into the moment,” he added.
On the other side of the equation, this match was always going to be tough for Bow away from home. The young team has three freshmen and one sophomore in the starting five, and at times, their lack of experience compared to Pembroke led to costly mistakes.
New head coach Kate Walsh called her team young and raw. The individual talent on the Falcons’ team has carried them to seven wins on the season.
Against Pembroke, Sophomore guard Peyton Vaugh paced the team with 13 points while senior forward Lauren Longley backed her up with 10.
“Trying to get ourselves to be polished like that, that’s been the journey for us,” Walsh said in reference to the other top teams in D-II.
Walsh added that during the game, it’s all about staying positive. In practice, there’s still work to be done.
Pembroke’s next game is another marquee matchup at Merrimack Valley at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.
Bow’s road trips will continue for three more games after the loss to Pembroke and it will play against Kennett next on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 6 p.m.