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Posted on Fri, Jan 4, 2013 : 11:59 p.m.

Dexter girls turn up the pace, pull away from Saline in a 38-16 win

By Kyle Austin

crystal-kedroske-dexter-girls-basketball.JPG

Dexter High School sophomore Crystal Kedroske dribbles toward the rim in the game against Saline at the EMU Convocation Center on Friday Jan. 4.

Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com

After eight minutes, Dexter held just a two-point lead over Saline in a slow-paced, halfcourt game.

Coach Mike Bavineau’s solution: turn up the speed.

Dexter opened the second quarter with a pressing defense and a fast-breaking offense and proceeded to pull away from Saline in a 38-16 win at Eastern Michigan's Convocation Center Friday night.

The Dreadnaughts outscored Saline 12-3 in the second quarter to key the win.

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“We just tried telling them that we have to try to turn up the pressure, try to apply more pressure, see if we can get some more turnovers and maybe get the game in transition a little bit and play a little bit faster,” Bavineau said.

With the win, Dexter ran its record to 8-1 on the year, and followed up its only loss on the year, 39-37 to Northville last Saturday, with a win.

After allowing a pair of buckets on the opening minutes, Dexter didn’t allow another one until 30 seconds remained in the first half and it led by double digits. A tough man-to-man defense held Saline to low-percentage shots.

“We just kind of preach that all the time, to try and contest every shot we can, don’t give up any easy looks, and for the most part we were able to,” Bavineau said.

Seven player scored for Dexter, led by 12 from Teia McGahey. Emma Kill had eight points and 11 rebounds.

McGahey, after suffering a knee injury last year, scored in double digits for the second straight game.

“I really thought she was a real big difference in the game, not only knocking down some shots for us early, but then especially in the second half, she got hands on the ball down here, she got rebounds, was really scrapping, and that’s great to see,” Bavineau said.

Jessica Barnes led Saline with five points and Caitlin Ellis had nine rebounds.

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Kyle Austin covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kyleaustin@annarbor.com or 734-623-2535. Follow him on Twitter @KAustin_AA.