ADAM SAMROV

Sports Editor

CAMBRIDGE, N.Y. -- Once Cambridge Central School's Jean Brownell and Sarah Cuddihy each hit a 3-pointer to start their game on Friday against Granville, the pair -- and the Indians -- were off to the races.

Brownell and Cuddihy combined for 36 of Cambridge's 43 points in the 43-24 Wasaren League win.

Brownell led all scorers with 19 points and Cuddihy added 17.

"Those two can play and we just want them to keep shooting," said Cambridge coach Doug Luke. "It's a win, our first one in the league. We've had chances in other games. This time, we got a lead, which makes us feel comfortable."

Brownell and Cuddihy scored all 26 points for Cambridge in the first half as the Indians took a 26-9 lead to the locker room.

After a 12-7 first quarter, the pair scored the next 12 points to extend the advantage. Cuddihy, the Indians' point guard, hit a jumper about a minute into the quarter to make the lead 14-7. Brownell then scored on back-to-back possessions for an 18-7 advantage.

"It's nice to get a lead; that gives us more confidence," Brownell said.

The Cambridge defense took center stage for the third quarter, keeping Granville off the scoreboard for the entire frame. In all, Granville didn't score for nearly nine minutes spanning the third and fourth quarters.

"Once we get working and everyone rebounding, it's nice to get into the rhythm," Cuddihy said.

Freshman Olivia Mooney was a major part of the defense, blocking 10 shots and grabbing 20 rebounds for an unusual double-double. Even on attempts she didn't block, she forced Granville to alter nearly all of its shots as far out as the 3-point line.

Luke said it was the most blocks in a game by a Cambridge girls basketball player in "a long time" and one of the higher rebound totals in the past couple of seasons.

"She's had double figures in rebounds almost every time out. You can see the improvement every game," Luke said. "She played good defense as well."

"Olivia works so hard, it's good for the team," Cuddihy said.

In the fourth, Granville's Katie Moore scored six points to pull the Horde within 19, but Cambridge reached 40 points for the first time this season and moved out of the Wasaren League basement.

Lauren Quick led the Golden Horde with eight points.

Cambridge improves to 2-7 and 1-6 in the league. Granville drops to 0-6 overall. The Indians are back in action Tuesday night when they travel to face Tamarac.