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DeLaSalle handles St. Paul Como Park to advance to Class 3A, Section 4 finale

By John Wagner, SportsEngine, 03/02/19, 11:30AM CST

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The Islanders, led by Nurjei Weems' 18 points, had a 20-point lead at halftime, which they never relinquished.

DeLaSalle junior Nurjei Weems (22) drives the lane for two of her game-high 18 points. The Islanders built an early first half lead and held on to beat the Cougars 68-54 advancing to the section final game on Thursday. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

DeLaSalle junior Nurjei Weems (22) drives the lane for two of her game-high 18 points. The Islanders built an early first half lead and held on to beat the Cougars 68-54 advancing to the section final game on Thursday. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

Mary Claire Francois shoots from the top of the key. Francois, along with teammates Kiani Lockett, Sydney Runsewe and Mya Williams, each scored nine points leading a team effort in their 68-54 win over St. Paul Como. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

Mary Claire Francois shoots from the top of the key. Francois, along with teammates Kiani Lockett, Sydney Runsewe and Mya Williams, each scored nine points leading a team effort in their 68-54 win over St. Paul Como. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

DeLaSalle used its length to make short work of St. Paul Como Park in a Class 3A, Section 4 semifinal played at East Ridge on Saturday.

The second-seeded Islanders, who have three starters who stand at least 6-foot, dominated the boards and the paint to build a 39-19 halftime lead and cruise to the victory.

"I think we have a great advantage in being so tall, because a lot of our players can post up — even a short guard," said DeLaSalle junior Nurjei Weems. "And on defense, our length is good for trapping."

Weems scored 18 points to lead the Islanders, who are ranked No. 3 in Class 3A by Minnesota Basketball News. Four other Islanders — Mary Claire Francois, Kiani Lockett, Sydney Runsewe and Mya Williams — scored nine points, while Nora Francois added eight, as they improved to 19-5 on the season.

Third-seeded Como Park (23-3) got big contributions from Ronnie Porter who led the No. 10-3A Cougars with 18 points, while teammates Shania Nichols, Kaylynn Asberry and Jada James each scored 11.

DeLaSalle used an early 7-0 run to build a 13-5 advantage with 12:10 still to play in the first half, then scored 11 straight points — thanks to back-to-back three-pointers by Runsewe and Lockett as well as a three-point play by Nora Francois — to expand that lead to 28-11 with 7 minutes, 43 seconds to go in the period.

First Report

Second-seeded DeLaSalle used a pair of first-half runs to build a big halftime lead, then hung on to beat No. 3 seed St. Paul Como Park 68-54 in a Class 3A, Section 4 semifinal contest at East Ridge High School on Saturday.

DeLaSalle, ranked No. 3 in Class 3A by Minnesota Basketball News, improved to 20-5 this season behind 18 points Nurjei Weems. Four other Islanders — Mary Claire Francois, Kiani Lockett, Sydney Runsewe and Mya Williams — each had nine points.

The Islanders used their size to control the paint, using an early 7-0 run to lead 13-5 just six minutes into the contest. DeLaSalle then exploded for 13 straight points to lead 28-11 with 7 minutes, 43 seconds still to go in the first half.

The Islanders scored 16 points in the paint in the first half to lead 39-19 at the break.

Como Park (23-3) did mount a bit of a comeback in the second half, but came no closer than 12 points with 2 minutes, 12 seconds left. DeLaSalle's biggest lead was a 43-19 margin after the Islanders scored the first four points in the second half.

The Cougars got big contributions from Ronnie Porter who led No. 10-3A Como Park with 17 points. Teammates Shania Nichols, Kaylynn Asberry and Jada James each scored 11 points.

DeLaSalle will face the winner of Saturday's second Section 4 semifinal game between Hill-Murray and Totino-Grace in the section championship next Thursday at East Ridge.

Freshman guard Ronnie Porter led St. Paul Como with 17 points at East Ridge High School on Saturday night. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

Freshman guard Ronnie Porter led St. Paul Como with 17 points at East Ridge High School on Saturday night. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

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