Julianna Almeida was one of four Sadlle River Day scorers to finish in double figures as the Rebels handed Park Ridge its first loss of the season 66-26, on Monday.

SADDLE RIVER – There was a feeling of frustration and disbelief as the Saddle River Day players walked off the court on Saturday night. For the first time in eight years, they were defeated by a Bergen County opponent, a public school no less, when Teaneck pulled a late comeback to stun the Rebels. Following the game was a soul-searching talk in the locker room. If this team is to win the Bergen County Tournament for an eighth consecutive year, they would have to learn from that loss not as individuals but as a unified team that still maintains their championship aspirations.

The bounce back started on Monday.

Saddle River Day was hot from 3-point range throughout the first half to take a big lead early. This time the Rebels did not take their foot off the gas and handed Park Ridge its first loss of the season, 66-26, in Saddle River.

“It was disappointing that we didn’t play as well as we could have against Teaneck, but we’ve erased that loss in our minds and we’re moving forward” said Saddle River Day head coach Joe Pedone. “We have some great leaders on our team like Cristina Parrella and Julianna Almeida, who really stepped up for us, especially on the defensive end, to set the tone.”

The Rebels came out as a team on a mission, jumping all over the Lady Owls right from the opening tap. Cristina Parrella, Bella Pedone, and Brooke Braen all knocked down early 3-pointers to open up a double-digit lead.

Park Ridge’s backcourt of Allie Shenloogian and Mary Craffey tried to keep the Owls in the game, but the Rebels were too deep and kept coming in waves on both ends of the floor. Braen had the hot hand; hitting all five her shots from the floor, three of them from three-point range, for a 13-point second quarter.

Park Ridge junior Allie Shenloogian finished with 13 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals

The Owls whittled a 26-point lead down 21 at the half. It was just a brief respite as the Rebels went back on the attack with Almeida and Braen all over the floor making plays as the Rebels opened the third quarter with a 12-0 run for a 47-14 lead.

“It was nice to see us bounce back the way we did today after losing to Teaneck,” said Braen, a junior point guard. “You never want to lose a game like that. But it’s better that happened now where we can learn from it instead in the county tournament or the states. What made it easy for us to get past the loss is that there is no selfishness on this team. Everyone wants to see everyone else do well. No matter what our team is going to always work hard and keep pushing through the tough times. It’s not about individual stats, it’s about working together and winning games.”

Despite being under intense pressure all game, Shenloogian put up a solid performance for Park Ridge (8-1). The junior, who earlier this season notched her 1,000th career point, finished with 13 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and four steals.

Braen led the way for Saddle River Day (8-2) with a game-high 16 points. Almeida, Parrella, and Williamson each scored in double-figures with 15, 13, and 12 points, respectively. Giada Celetti added four points, while Pedone and Nia Carrera each nailed a three-pointer.

The Rebels beefed up the schedule to prepare themselves for county and state tournament play. Their toughest stretch of the season is upon them with games against defending Group 4 state champion and currently undefeated Bayonne on Thursday night, IHA on Sunday, then games against Blair Academy and Life Center next week. How the Rebels navigate their way through the gauntlet will be an indicator of just how far this team can go this season.

“We’re excited for the challenges coming up,” added Pedone. “We’re working hard and having fun both at practices and in games. Everyone is playing their hearts out and pulling for each other to do well. It starts with valuing the basketball because every possession counts. We’ve got a lot of work cut out for us and we’ll be ready to go.”

FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT PLEASE CLICK HERE. TO BUY A COLLECTOR'S PRINT OF THIS STORY PLEASE VISIT 4-FeetGrafix.com.