CLARKSBURG -- Theresa Melko scored a game-high 13 points and freshman guard Meredith Legg added 11 as No. 9 Bridgeport literally rebounded from the their first loss of the season with a 47-23 win over Liberty Tuesday night.
BHS (3-1) outrebounded the Mountaineers, 45-31, with Lauren Kerr nabbing 15 rebounds -- including eight off the offensive glass -- and Melko grabbing seven.
Melko and Kerr, both seniors, have been starters for the Indians the past three seasons.
"I think as big a kids as we've got and as strong and experienced as they are, we expect them to dominate the boards," Indians coach Dave Marshall said. "Obviously, to have one post player who's good in high school basketball in this area is a very big advantage. But when you've got two that are not only good, but have that much experience, you just can't replace that."
Bridgeport darted out to a 13-4 first quarter lead behind a 6-0 run to start the game and four points each from Melko, Legg and point guard Sarah Snider, who finished with 10 points and three assists.
A bucket by Adrienne Belcastro and a pair of free throws by Kerr swelled the Indians' lead to 13 at 17-4 with 5:29 remaining until the half, but the Mountaineers battled back to within 10 with a Kelli Yednak free throw and a Shannon Wetzel putback at the 3:01 mark to make the score 17-7.
The two teams traded buckets to make it 19-9 Bridgeport, before Kerr hit a foul shot and Melko hit a baseline jumper to stretch the BHS lead to 22-9. A Yednak free throw closed the first half scoring.
In the second half, the Indians' defense clamped down. Liberty shot just 3-of-13 and committed 25 turnovers in the second half.
For the game, the Mountaineers (0-3) committed 37 turnovers to Bridgeport's 20. The two teams combined to commit 41 personal fouls.
"It was a very slow and sloppy basketball game," Marshall said. "I didn't think we played with a lot of emotion at all. We didn't really play with very much intensity, communication, effort or emotion.
"I just told these kids, I think this can be a very good defensive team if we throw those things in with the skills we have."
Meanwhile, Mountaineers coach Larry Ritter is still waiting for his team to get healthy and gel.
"What's really hurting us is being sick," Ritter said.
"Yeah, we didn't get rebounds and things, but that's because our legs are tired and we're just worn down. Right now, physically, we're just hurting right now.
"When we can get everybody together and get well, we'll be all right."
Yednak and Katie Orndorff each scored six points for Liberty.
Sports writer Chris Vannoy can be reached at 626-1444 or by e-mail at sports@exponent-telegram.com
