The girls varsity basketball team faced the Newton North Tigers and won 81-60 on Friday, Feb. 3 in the Schluntz Gymnasium. Although the game got off to a slow start, once the Warriors got ahead, they never looked back as they racked up three-pointers.

The Warriors last played the Tigers on Jan. 6 and lost 54-49. Head coach Kendell Jones said this motivated the Warriors to play better and the Warriors, who were ranked sixth in the MIAA power rankings for Division I, got their redemption with a blowout win against the Tigers, who were ranked third.

“We watched a lot of the film and we adjusted to our mistakes to make it happen. We knew that if we had our chance to play at home with the rivalry and crowd it would be different. It all worked out,” Jones said.

After the Tigers won the jump ball, the Warriors stole it back, and the back-and-forth continued, demonstrating an even match.

Junior and forward Gigi McMahon said that the Warriors knew what to expect with the Tigers.

“Last time, they beat us so we were really hungry to get a win. We knew going in that we’d have to work our butts off and that it wasn’t going to be easy,” McMahon said.

McMahon also said that Brookline was looking to keep up a firm defense, especially towards Newton North senior and forward Abigail Wright.

“Our main goal was locking her down and boxing her out. I think she really got the best of us last time, so by doing that we really limited everything else and worked hard on our defense because that definitely carries over to our offense,” McMahon said.

After a scoreless two and a half minutes, the Tigers scored the first point of the game via a free throw, prompting a time-out from the Warriors. After a couple more baskets from the Tigers, McMahon scored the first, hard-won points of the game for the Warriors off a rebound. McMahon scored multiple baskets this way throughout the game.

Although it seemed like the Tigers were going to pull away in points, the Warriors kept an airtight defense and senior and forward Margo Mattes scored multiple layups, finishing the first quarter with a score of 11-8 for the Tigers.

Mattes started the second quarter by scoring a three-pointer. Mattes set the mood for the rest of the team as the game saw a number of successful three-pointers from the Warriors.

The Tigers answered with a three of their own, but the Warriors shut them down for the next two minutes, scoring 8-0 with two three-pointers and a layup.

The Warriors’ defense was dynamic, barely allowing the Tigers to get to the basket. Senior and guard Geanna Bryant shined many times, stealing the ball from the Tigers and providing assists for easy layups. Shortly after, foul trouble began for the Tigers as Bryant and McMahon were both fouled and awarded two baskets.

The end of the second quarter ended with a stellar play when Mattes blocked a Tiger’s shot and brought the ball to the Warriors’ side for an easy layup, making the score 35-25.

The cheer team performed at halftime and Brookline Interactive Group (BIG) piloted a new broadcasting program in collaboration with the Brookline Teen Center.

Coming into the second half, McMahon said the Warriors tried to maintain the same energy they’d had in the first.

“We have a tendency in the second half to play off a little bit,” McMahon said. “And I think all four quarters we put in so much dedication and time and effort, so by doing that we really were able to gain some confidence and play how we wanted to.”

The third quarter saw Bryant score multiple free throws and 3-pointers. The Warriors played with spirit, even ending up on the floor many times in efforts to get the ball or to score.

Multiple baskets from the Warriors brought their score up and allowed them to pull away; the quarter ended with a score of 57-44.

As the fourth quarter began, both teams seemed to maintain the same energy they’d had all game. Bryant scored multiple three-pointers, and the Tigers tried and failed repeatedly to get a shot in before eventually scoring one from below the basket.

Mattes shot for another three-pointer, her sixth of the night. After the Warriors got the ball again, Mattes passed the ball up the court to wide-open senior and forward Jenna Lazowski who hit a three, her first of two in the quarter.

During the Warriors’ next trip, as Mattes dribbled down the court, she crossed over swiftly and shot another successful three-pointer as a Tiger’s player tripped to the ground. The already energetic crowd only cheered louder.

As time ran out on the clock the Tigers tried to go for last-minute points. Yet, as they tried to get to the hoop, Bryant stole the ball and Brookline called a final timeout. Mattes then dribbled out the clock and the game ended 81-60 for the Warriors. Mattes and Bryant led the team with 37 and 23 points, respectively.

Gallery • 9 Photos

CARLOTTA ZANINI/STAFF MEMBER