"I’m hoping it was tournament jitters, fortunately our defense kept us in the game," said Cresskill coach Jennifer Rilli. "Absolutely nothing went our way and we gave them too many opportunities."

Cresskill tried to go inside, but the Owls provided double and sometimes triple coverage in the paint. Carly Cerone was unaware of the heavy pressure applied by the Owls.

"I didn’t even notice the double team, until my teammates pointed it out, but when I saw it I made adjustments to open it up," said Cerone.

The Cougars started the second quarter continuing to lack intensity, but Cerone, recognizing the double, was starting to gain some steam and more successful maneuvering around defenders for points.

Colleen Ahearn took some of the pressure away by drawing the double team before kicking it to the open Cerone.

"Carly and I, we just know where we are at all times," said Ahearn "The most important thing is we know what we’re capable of."

It’s no mystery that Cresskill looked to the inside game to set up their offensive schemes and once the paint penetration was established, there was no stopping the Cougars.

"We always look to pound it inside," said Rilli. "The difference in our success was that our shots began to fall, we looked more relaxed and the way we ended the second quarter gave us the momentum."

The Cougars ended the second quarter on an 11-3 run capped with Floriana Borova’s buzzer beating three-pointer.

"I knew I had to pick up my scoring and at least make some shots," said Borova. "So I got the ball and just put it up."

At the half with Cresskill trailing 21-17, Rilli told her squad that she "believed we were the better team. We played bad in the first, but we’re still in it and to turn it up."

The three-pointer sparked the Cougars to elevate their game on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. The Cougars continued to ride the momentum. On defense, it was switching to the zone that cut down the Owls shots and passes.

"The zone did help, but I think we just wanted this win more than anything," said Sarah Malmut. "Our defense picked it up and we took away their outside shot. We did this by not only having guards on the perimeter, but forwards helping out, as well."

With the outside shot no longer a viable option, Park Ridge struggled trying to sneak inside with height mismatches down low.

"I figured we’d make them beat us from the outside and hoped their hands didn’t stay as hot, as in the first quarter," said Rilli.

After a Borova miss, Ahearn snagged the rebound for the put back, which knotted everything at 21. Cerone put the Cougars ahead with an inside shot, while being fouled in the process. The forward completed the three-point play to put the Cougars ahead for good.

Cresskill outscored Park Ridge 15-2 in the third quarter to take a 32-23 lead into the final quarter.

Park Ridge hit two extremes during the game, from blazing hot to ice cold. The Owls couldn’t take advantage of the open looks, as the shots that fell in the first quarter rimmed out.

"We came out with great intensity and Jenn did a great job switching to the two-three zone," said Park Ridge coach Mike Weaver. "When they went to the zone we shot 3-for-26 and that adjustment, I giver her credit."

Cresskill controlled the tempo to extend their already sizeable lead and get the 44-31 victory. After the game Stephanie Durakis positively commented on each of her players that this was a team effort and everyone is thrilled to advance.

"This win is pretty huge and we were nervous, but it was exciting," said Durakis. "We’ll just prepare for Butler and hopefully beat them."

E-mail: cheung@northjersey.com or call 201-894-6709