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A stifling defensive effort set up an easy Sunday for North Andover in a 54-26 blowout of Lynnfield. Erika Zahoruiko had 18 points and 10 rebounds, all in the first half, to help put the game away. Sophomores Pam Coufos (4 points, 5 steals and 2 assists) and Michaela Mello (2 points and 9 rebounds) did their part to preserve the big lead.

Coming off the bench, junior Jillian Madden and sophomore Fran Ventola (16 points each) had career-high efforts as part of North Andover's 65-18 crushing of Rockport.

Michaela Mello, a 5-10 sophomore center, had a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds, both career highs, as North Andover whipped Manchester Essex 45-23.

Julia Titone scored 13 of her career-high 17 points in the second half as North Andover, which trailed 26-13 at the break, rallied past upset-minded Triton. 51-43. "It was a gutsy comeback," said Knights coach Sue Breen.

NORTH ANDOVER — For the first time in three years (Jan. 15, 2008), Pentucket has lost to a Cape Ann League team. North Andover used a stifling defense and a terrific all-around game from Erika Zahoruiko (17 points, 13 rebounds) to topple the Sachems, 38-31. “It was such an intense great game,” said North Andover coach Sue Breen after her club snapped Pentucket’s 45-game winning streak vs. CAL competition. “Our defense was incredible. We did it by committee.” One person couldn’t do it alone vs. a Pentucket team which was 6-0 and ranked 12th in the entire state by ESPN Boston. “I’m just so proud of them,” said Breen. “It wasn’t perfect, but we just had to find a way.” A key stretch came with 3:30 left in the third and Pentucket leading 22-20. Some slick passing by Zahoruiko, Caitlin Enright and Alex Medlock and two steals by Amanda Foote led to three straight layups. Zahoruiko scored twice and Medlock had the other hoop in the run. The Knights pride themselves on their defense, despite not having much size. “Enright maybe be 5-5 on a good day and Alex Medlock is 5-7. They were guarding players much bigger,” said Breen. In addition to Zahoruiko, sophomore Morgan Lumb (10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 blocks) did a little bit of everything. Coley Viselli led the Sachems with 13 points. North Andover is 5-3, but the losses were all close and to a tough threesome (Masconomet, Pinkerton, Lowell). Pentucket graduated a ton from last year’s team, which went 26-1 and lost in the Division 3 state final. That group enjoyed a brilliant 91-9 four-year run. But the Sachems got off to another terrific start to this season. North Andover, though, wasn’t intimidated. “They know if they play together, good things can happen,” said Breen. They certainly did yesterday.

Tough Stretch North Andover had lost four straight to Pentucket: Date    Score Feb. 1, 2010    Pentucket 51    North Andover    23 Jan. 30, 2009    Pentucket 52    North Andover 35 Jan. 8, 2008    Pentucket 48    North Andover 31 Jan. 9, 2007    Pentucket 46    North Andover 26

North Andover was leading Newburyport 31-28 at the half, but the defense held the Clippers to 11 points in the second half to win 55-39. Morgan Lumb scored a team high 21 points with seven rebounds, six steals, and five assists.

North Andover lost to Lowell 52-41. Morgan Lumb scored 13 points for North Andover.

METHUEN — Pinkerton’s Danielle Kimball and Katherine Harris both struggled at times during yesterday’s Greater Lawrence Christmas tourney semifinal game against North Andover, but both seniors came up huge in the final minute of overtime.

Erika Zahoruiko and Morgan Lumb each had eight rebounds during North Andover's win over Amesbury 32-26. Amanda Foote scored six points with five steals and four assists.

Sophomore Morgan Lumb scored 11 points and helped North Andover beat Wilmington 47-37. Pam Coufos scored 11 points and stole the ball six times.