Logan Elm never trailed host New Hope Monday night as the Braves won the first-ever meeting between the two teams 58-43.

The game was tied twice in the opening minutes of the game before the Braves scored six points on a three-pointer from Megan Diehl, a free throw from Abby Hatter and a basket from Brynn Griffith to make it 10-4. After that, the Statesmen (6-4) were never closer than three points.

“We did what we had to do. Monday is tough,” Logan Elm coach John Denen said. “We don’t practice well on Mondays so I knew that was going to be tough.”

The Braves (6-6) led 15-9 after the first quarter and 29-22 at halftime.

Hatter had 10 of her game-high 25 in the third period as LE got out in front by 16 points before ending the quarter up 47-33.

The Braves scored 11 straight in the middle of the fourth period to take their largest lead of the night at 58-37.

New Hope freshman Maren McCallister scored the game’s final six points as she led her team with 21.

“We couldn’t close the gap. That’s part of the learning process,” New Hope coach Brian McCallister said. “We’ve got to learn how to get the ball to our scorers when they take our scorers away. We can’t just rely on Maren taking it one-on-one.

“Jenna Tripp and Rebecca Highfield are great shooters and I don’t know that they made one tonight at all. (Tripp sank one three-pointer.) We’ve got to get them on track.”

“We had a great inside, outside game with Abby Hatter (25 points) on the outside and Brynn (Griffith, 16 points) on the inside,” Denen said.

With this being the first-ever meeting between the two squads, the Braves weren’t sure what to expect from the Statesmen, especially since the night they came to scout the game was canceled. Denen said they won’t let that happen before the two meet up next season at LE. He also added that he thought New Hope would make a nice addition to the Mid-State League Cardinal division.

“New Hope Christian Academy should come to the Mid-State League on the small school side. They’re a year away from competing in that conference,” Denen said. “It was a privilege to come out and play. I hope they get in the Ohio High School Athletic Association soon — that might help them get into the Mid-State League.”

McCallister said the matchup was a good experience for his squad as they have several other experienced squads remaining on their schedule.

“I’m thrilled Logan Elm came in and played us. They probably didn’t have a whole lot to gain by playing us,” he said. “We’re pretty young and I’m happy with how we competed.

“Going from here it doesn’t get any easier,” he added. “We’ve got to go to Amanda, go to Westfall, to Independence – we’ve got to grow up pretty quick.”

Logan Elm forced the Statesmen into 23 turnovers Monday while limiting their own to 11.

New Hope did end the night winning the rebounding battle 37-30. Alyssa Conrad led NH with nine and Sadie Pruit had eight to go along with her 10 points. Karlee Thomas led LE with six rebounds while Griffith had five.

Monday was the last game for Logan Elm’s Vikki Baincotti as the exchange student heads back to Argentina later this week.

“She’s been a blessing to our kids and I think she would say the same thing,” Denen said. “We’re going to miss Vikki.”

Logan Elm is back in action Friday night at Teays Valley. New Hope is next in action Saturday hosting Horizon Science Academy.

Logan Elm 58, New Hope 43

Logan Elm — Thomas 1-0-3, Hatter 9-4-25, Hardin 1-0-2, Schultz 2-0-5, Diehl 3-0-7, Griffith 7-2-16. Three-point goals — Thomas, Hatter (3), Schultz, Diehl. Total — 23-62 6-10 58.

New Hope — Conrad 2-2-6, Tripp 1-0-3, Leist 1-0-3, McCallister 8-5-21, Pruitt 4-2-10. Three-point goals — Tripp, Leist. Total — 16-46 9-13 43.

Quarter scores  1  2  3  4  F

Logan Elm  15  14  18  11  58

New Hope  9  13  11  10  43