BUCYRUS — It’s a brave new world for the Bucyrus Lady Redmen this year.

Coach Taylor Tackett lost four seniors to graduation last year and had some question marks entering this year.

So far, so good.

Bucyrus rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit to defeat the Northmor Lady Knights, 51-48, in the season-opener for the Lady Redmen at Alex Kish Memorial Gymnasium.

“Northmor had their first game last night so they got a game in before we did,” Tackett said. “Maybe we were a little nervous.”

The Knights took advantage of Bucyrus’ jitters to grab the early lead. Northmor (0-2) hit 10 of 24 shots in the first half to build a 30-20 bulge at intermission. Lexi Wenger scored 10 of her game-high 19 points to lead the charge.

Things looked to be well in hand for the Knights to start the third quarter as they hit three of their first four shots and took their biggest lead of the night, 36-24, on a basket by Macy Miracle with 5:42 left in the period.

However, those were Northmor’s last points for over nine minutes. The Knights missed their next 18 shots and the Bucyrus comeback was on.

“We made big adjustments at halftime,” Tackett said. “We switched from a man to a 1-2-2 defense. We struggled with it at first, but as we got used to it, made those adjustments, started getting rebounds and steals and converting them over on the other end, we were OK.”

After sitting much of the first half with foul trouble, Alivia Lewis scored six of her 10 points in the third quarter to fuel the rally.

“Alivia being out in the first half hurt us a little bit,” Tackett said. “She brought us a spark in the second half and helped lead us to the win.”

Bucyrus was able to whittle away at the deficit and got to within 36-35 by the end of the third period. The Redmen finally took the lead — their first since the first quarter — on a basket by Taylor Patterson with 6:48 to go.

Northmor regained the lead at 43-41 on a 3-point shot by Wenger. But Patterson answered with a 3 for the Redmen. The score was tied for the last time at 48-48, but a basket by Jill Wise and a free throw from Lewis sealed it for Bucyrus.

Ni’Georia Floyd led the Redmen with 15 points, including three 3s, while Caleigh Rister added 13 and Lewis had 10 points and 11 rebounds. Jill Wise grabbed 13 boards, 10 on the offensive end.

Addie Farley scored 10 points to second Wenger’s 19 for the Knights. Juliana Ditullio dropped in nine. Wenger led Northmor with seven rebounds.

“We had some girls step up,” Tackett said. “Taylor Patterson hit some shots and Claire (Schifer) as well. And Lauren Kohler was out there with defense and some steals.

“A win is a win,” Tackett added. “I’m glad (the season) started out this way.”

Northmor    11    19      6     12 — 48

Bucyrus         6     14     15    16 — 51

Stats

Northmor (0-2): Shots 18-56; 3-pt shots 4-14 (Lexi Wenger 2, Juliana Ditullio, Addie Farley); Rebounds 36 (Lexi Wenger 7). Turnovers 11. Scoring: Reagan Swihart 2 0 4, Juliana Ditullio 2 4 9, Addie Farley 4 1 10, Macy Miracle 3 0 6, Lexi Wenger 7 3 19.

Bucyrus (1-0): Shots 17-55; 3-pt shots 4-20 (Ni’Georia Floyd 3, Taylor Patterson); Rebounds 47 (Jill Wise 13, Alivia Lewis 11). Turnovers 19. Scoring: Ni’Georia 6 0 15, Caleigh Rister 5 3 13, Alivia Lewis 1 8 10, Taylor Patterson 2 0 5, Claire Schifer 1 0 2, Jill Wise 2 2 6.

JV: Northmor 35-15.