By Dan Fenner For Digital First Media

WATERFORD >> Needing a new wrinkle to throw at opponents when facing them a second time this season, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes had worked to diversify its defensive approach in recent days.

The Lakers unveiled a number of different tactics against visiting Madison Heights Bishop Foley on Monday with generally positive results, which helped pave the way for a 50-35 win.

“I just told the girls, I was really happy with the defenses we ran tonight. We ran a lot of stuff that we haven’t had a lot of reps on in practice,” WOLL coach Steve Robak said. “Unfortunately, with the way the season’s gone, when you’re not really deep, your opportunities to see how (new) things are going to work out are in games.

“I thought we mixed up our defenses really well and kept Foley off balance all night.”

A strong opening quarter provided the Lakers with a sizable edge from the get-go. WOLL drained four 3-pointers in the first stanza to ring up a 20-6 lead. A slew of offensive rebounds also keyed in the Lakers’ hot start, as the team twice came away with four-point possessions early on.

“Those are nice possessions when you’re on the offensive end, or a killer for a coach or team when they happen to you,” Robak said.

Bishop Foley made some headway during the second quarter, capitalizing on an extended scoring drought by WOLL to pull within seven points. The Ventures’ small surge couldn’t be sustained, however, as they went into halftime down 29-17.

A 7-0 run by Our Lady of the Lakes to begin the third quarter dashed Bishop Foley’s best hope for a comeback, as the margin never dipped to fewer than 12 points.

Sophomore Brooklyn Robak tallied a game-high 21 points, including three 3-pointers for the Lakers (9-4, 5-0 CHSL A-South). Junior Isabelle Kline added 19 points, while sophomore Alexis Koenig chipped in with four.

Our Lady of the Lakes previously defeated Bishop Foley on Jan. 15, coming from behind for a 46-39 win.

Up next, the Lakers will travel to Adrian Lenawee Christian on Thursday where a meeting with last season’s Class D state champion awaits.

“The girls are excited. We’re excited as coaches,” Robak said of facing the current No. 1-ranked team in Division 4. “We know who the best team in the state is. It’s no secret. But this is a chance to see how we stack up and ask where are we at? Are we anywhere close or are we still way off? I hope we’re close enough that we don’t get too discouraged. We’re going to try and give them a game.”

Bishop Foley’s loss was just its third of the season Monday. The team is now 8-3 (5-2 CHSL A-South).

Freshman Melanie Moore led the way with 14 points for the Ventures, while junior Kayla Moore added 10 points.

Source: Our Lady of the Lakes clamps down defensively to defeat Bishop Foley