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GRAND COTEAU – When the Notre Dame Lady Pios are clicking on all cylinders, they are a tough team to beat.

Academy of Sacred Heart found that out the hard way Wednesday evening when they hosted the Lady Pios in a non-district contest.

The Lady Pios (16-4) connected on nine 3-pointers and had four players score in double figures in a 70-27 thrashing of the Lady Saints.

“They (Sacred Heart) played a zone (defense) all night and when we’re hitting shots, that’s just like shooting fish in a barrel for us,” said Notre Dame coach Nolan Theriot. “We moved the ball well and we knocked down some shots.”

Alex Miller led the onslaught with 18 points on six 3-pointers. Sam Lyons added 15 points while Madelyn LeJeune and Katherine Kirsch each had 10.

“It was great to see the kids move the ball around and see different kids contributing offensively,” said Theriot, who had 10 of his 11 players score on the night. “We did a job of filling in and we played better as the game went on.”

Liddy Rothermel added seven points in the victory and Gabbie Romero had three. Hanna Esthay, Elise LeBeouf and Elizabeth Dartez each scored two points and Tori Onebane had one.

The Lady Pios took a 16-4 lead after the first quarter before distancing themselves in the second frame when they outscored the Lady Saints 21-9.

The Lady Pios put the game away in the second half by outscoring the Saints 35-12 in the final two frames.

“Defensively, we played better in the second half but we’re still getting beat off the dribble and that’s a concern,” said Theriot, whose squad held the Saints to just two points in the fourth quarter. “Yeah, we won by 43 but when a team that scores 27 can beat you off the dribble...I can see if it’s one time during the game but if it’s seven to 10 times, against different defenders that you think should be defending, that’s an issue.

“I don’t think it’s from a lack of effort though. I think it’s from focusing that effort into doing what you’re taught to do.”

Offensively, the only issue for the Notre Dame was free throw shooting. The Lady Pios went to the line 10 times and made half of their freebies.

“Our free throw shooting wasn’t as good as I would have liked it to be,” said Theriot. “Maybe we can start shooting our free throws from beyond the arch.”