Lady Patriots run past Essex

The Linden High girls overcame a rocky start to put its Friday night contest against area rival John Essex well out of reach before the halftime buzzer sounded.

The Lady Patriots outpaced Essex 20-2 in the game’s second quarter Friday, hauling a 31-10 lead into the locker room.

Linden held Essex scoreless for 7:59 in the second quarter before Kieshandra Fluker connected on a layup at the buzzer to erase the goose egg in the score box.

Cierra Jones and Briana Delaine set the tone for Linden throughout the first half, combining to account for 28 of the team’s 31 points as each hung 14 on the board in the game’s first 16 minutes.

Jones ended the night as the game’s leading scorer with 23 points and five rebounds. Delaine had 10 points and 13 rebounds to go along with six steals.

Despite not scoring in the game, Imyia Agee contributed mightily with 10 rebounds, five steals and four assists. Shauntele Gray added eight rebounds in limited minutes for the Patriots.

Amber Richardson led Essex with nine points, 20 rebounds and four steals. Fluker finished with seven points, four rebounds and four steals while Robyn Fields had six points.

Linden is scheduled to host area foe Akron Tuesday night while Essex travels to Marengo.