**Diamond Tolliver holds the keys to Saginaw's offense**
**Tiffina Bennett drives to the basket**
**Shaqueal Blackmon goes up for 2 of her game high 19**
**Sophomore Ashley Beemon lays in a basket**Flint- Two things stood out in Saginaw's 74-46 win over previous undefeated Flint Central.
1. The obvious conditioning advantage the Trojans had over the Phoenix. Saginaw instantly put the full court pressure on Central and didn't let up as Coach Sophia Jordan went to her bench early and often to keep fresh bodies on the floor as Saginaw left Central hugging their shorts.
2. The play of junior point guard Diamond Tolliver. Tolliver controlled the game's tempo and seemed like she was on a mission to set her teammates up with easy baskets, and she did just that with her ability to penetrate, draw a second defender, and then drop a dime to a wide open teammate.
The Trojans quickly took a 8-0 lead before Tiffina Bennett connected on consecutive baskets to get Central going. Midway through the second quarter a Bennett 3-pointer cut the Trojan lead to 17-13 but that would be the closest Central would get. Saginaw pulled away when Tolliver tosses 3 straight assist to end the half as Saginaw went up 37-23 at the half.
Saginaw started the second half with a 10-0 run as sophomore Ashley Beemon's long 2-pointer gave the Trojans a 47-23 lead. Saginaw put an exclamation point on the win at the end of the third quarter by stealing two straight inbound passes to end the quarter with a 6-0 run to take a 58-32 lead into the final quarter.
BREAKDOWN: the Trojans looked much improved from just a week ago when they lost the season opener to Howell. Saginaw is now 2-1 on the year and is starting to play with confidence now that players know their role. Saginaw is deep with wings and guards that can run the floor while Qwandra Stephens and sophomore Chloe Davis are beast in the paint.
Central now stands at 3-1 on the season. The Trojan press just kept Central from ever getting comfortable and it also limited the shots Bennett could get off.
PLAYER OF GAME: Diamond Tolliver, Saginaw, 5-5 PG- Tolliver played like a high major point guard last night and also looked like a true point guard as she controlled the game's momentum single handily. She only scored 8 points but had 11 assist on the night.
NOTABLE STANDOUTS
Tiffina Bennett, Central, 5-9 wing- is easily one of the top players in the state, only problem is she doesn't have much help on her team. Bennett racked up 20 points while shooting a high percentage.
Chloe Davis, Saginaw, 5-8 Fwd- the sophomore forward led Saginaw with 16 points and 9 rebounds.
Shaqueal Blackmon, Saginaw, 5-7 Fwd- led Saginaw with 19 points.
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