COLUMBIA, MD — For the first 31 minutes of their game on Wednesday night, the Atholton and Howard girls basketball teams were about as evenly matched as two teams could be.
After battling to a 19-19 tie at halftime, the two teams traded the lead five times in the third quarter, with Atholton going ahead 34-33 on a layup by Sage Mayhew with 30 seconds to go.
Howard then raced to a 39-36 lead early in the fourth, on a jumper by sophomore Emileigh Scott, who hit another midrange shot with 3:33 left in the game to give the Lions a 41-40 lead.
But after a turnaround in the paint by Kalere Caldwell with less than three minutes to play gave the Raiders a 42-41 lead, Atholton owned the final seconds in their own gym, finishing on a 7-0 run to earn a convincing 47-41 victory.
"We just had to stay composed and take care of the basketball down the stretch," Atholton coach Julie Reynold said. "Kalere Caldwell in the post played a heck of a game."
Raiders senior Chelsea Mitchell scored a game-high 20 points, including two free throws with 12 seconds left to put the game away.
Sage Mayhew (11) and Francesca Vanegas (7) added 18 points for the undefeated Raiders, while the Lions were led by guards Natalie Talley (13) and Jayda Gilmore (11).
Howard coach Scott Robinson, whose team swept Atholton by a combined 33 points in two meetings last year, was impressed by the Raiders.
"Atholton is a great team ... they hit some tough shots in one-on-one situations. They've got quick guards who can shoot the ball. They have good range and Kalere was a big presence in the post. They really hurt us on the boards," he said. "For 30 minutes we were right there. We did a lot of good things, we just have to learn how to finish."
Because of planned renovations to its home gym, Atholton will play all 13 of its regular season games after winter break on the road.
"That makes it a little challenging but I think my kids are up for the challenge and hopefully it will just prepare us for later in the season," Reynold said.
A (2-0): Mitchell 20, Mayhew 11, Vanegas 7, Caldwell 4, Jones 4, Burmester 1.
Ho (1-1): Talley 13, Gilmore 11, Scott 8, Batterton 4, Kinsey 3, Sims 2.
Half: 19-19