Our Lady earns revenge against Cabrini, 44-41

Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes avenged its only loss of the season by defeating Allen Park Cabrini at home, 44-41, on Friday, Jan. 28.

The Lakers (11-1 overall, 6-1 in the Catholic League East) were without their top player, Lauren Robak, due to illness; but it was her younger sister, Lexie, who rose to the occasion in her absence by finishing with 18 points, 3 steals, 3 rebounds and 5 blocks.

Lexie Robak scored 14 of her points in the second half, including four 3-pointers.

“Lexie shot the ball very well in the second half and that helped keep us close because (Cabrini) was doing a good job of making it hard for Ava (Doetsch) and Carlee (Cottrell),” said Our Lady Head Coach Steve Robak. “It was a great effort and a big win for us, especially because we lost to them last time and we didn’t have Lauren for this game.”

Cabrini defeated Our Lady, 47-33, on Jan. 10.

Last Friday’s game went back and forth, as Our Lady led 11-7 after the first quarter before Cabrini rallied to take a 22-16 halftime advantage.

“Cabrini used a gimmick defense against our best players to try and slow us down offensively,” Coach Robak said. “It worked in many ways, but the girls were patient on offense and didn’t force any bad shots, but the shots weren’t falling early.”

Cabrini led 31-28 after the third quarter, before Our Lady came back to take a two-point lead with just over a minute to go in the fourth.

Cabrini then forced two turnovers which resulted in two baskets and a two-point Cabrini lead with 50 seconds left.

Our Lady responded quickly, as Cottrell hit a 3-pointer off an assist from Doetsch to give the Lakers a one-point lead. Lexie Robak then came up with a steal on Cabrini’s next possession and Doetsch was fouled. Doetsch then missed the front end of a one-and-one, but Cottrell grabbed the rebound, was fouled and hit both her free-throws to put the game away.

Cottrell finished with 9 points and 5 rebounds, while Jessica Parry had 9 points, 8 rebounds and 2 steals.

“(Jessica) has been playing really well the last several games and she made some key shots over the course of this game, as well,” Coach Robak said.

Danielle Lollo had 18 points to lead Cabrini (7-4, 3-3).

The Lakers began the week with an 82-55 victory at home over Royal Oak Shrine on Monday, Jan. 24.

Lauren Robak scored 19 points in the fourth quarter to finish with a career-high 37 points, along with 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks and 5-for-9 three-point shooting.

Lexie Robak scored 17 points, including 5 three-pointers, along with 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Cottrell had 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists.

Our Lady hosted Ladywood on Monday, Jan. 31 after press time and will travel to face rival Marine City Cardinal Mooney on Friday, Feb. 4 in the final tune-up before the Catholic League Tournament and a game that could decide the Catholic League East.