By Ronnie Gallagher
rgallagher@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY ó Robinson coach Lynn Smithson did something rarely seen in these parts.
She took a page out of Salisburyís book and pressed the Hornet girls. Say what?
ěItís something I learned from the Wingate coach,î she said.
It didnít matter as soon as the third quarter began. The Hornets, behind Brielle Blaire, began the second half on a 21-3 run and it propelled Salisbury to a 62-42 victory.
Coach Chris McNeil called a timeout 53 seconds into the game just to remind his young Hornets the game plan: pick up their defensive intensity and take Isabel Bernal out of the game.
ěWeíve got the pieces of the puzzle,î McNeil said. ěWeíre trying to slowly assemble it.î
In the first quarter, it was the other Blaire, freshman Ashley, who kept Salisbury in the lead, scoring six of her eight points.
Robinson didnít let up, cutting the lead to 19-14 at one point, and trailing 25-17 at the half.
Even worse for Salisbury, Brielle Blaire was called for a charge on the final play of the second quarter. She was 2-of-10 from the field at that point.
But it was a different Brielle in the third quarter. She scored 12 points, mostly inside.
ěWe want her to know she can play 1 through 5, so donít settle on one position,î McNeil said. ěMove around and become mobile. Make it hard for other teams to adjust to her.î
In the third quarter, Blaire scored on a lane jumper, a layup and off rebounds. She finished the night with 23 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks.
ěSheís a good player, Smithson understated.
The game was basically over with a 20-point Salisbury lead after three quarters. That gave McNeil a chance to play several combinations of sophomores and freshmen.
Daterria Connor scored eight points and Briana Caldwell added seven. Vashti Usry did a good job outside and on defense. She scored five points.
ěItís game by game,î McNeil said. ěIt has to be a patient process.î

NOTES: Smithson is a former Salisbury faculty member, as P.A. announcer Windsor Eagle informed the crowd in pre-game introductions. … Robinson has now lost to two Rowan teams, Carson and Salisbury. … Doreen Richardson has five steals.
ROBINSON (42) ó Peay 9, Mahoney 8, Fulford 7, Leftwich 6, Gray 4, Neale 4 Bernal 4.
SALISBURY (62) ó B. Blaire 23, A Blaire 8, Connor 8, Caldwell 7, Usry 5, Richardson 5, Lattimore 2, Angle 2, Harris 2.
Robinson 8 9 9 16 ó 42
Salisbury 15 10 21 16 ó 62