By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

With only 2:07 remaining in the fourth quarter on Tuesday night, St. Charles Coach Erin Remondet had one simple message for her Lady Comets: “It’s time to do or die.”

Desperately needing a district victory after falling to 0-2 in 9-3A play last week, St. Charles surged to a 23-7 lead over host Lutcher after a quarter of play.

But when Lutcher pulled within one point late in the fourth quarter, Remondet called her team together during a time out, its season perhaps on the brink.

The Comets responded. St. Charles scored the final 10 points of the game, the final eight coming from Brooke Becker, to earn its first district win of the season, 57-46.

“We got too sloppy with our passes,” said Remondet. “I told the girls, when there was 2:07 left on the clock, that whatever you have left in your gas tank, use it now, because it’s time.”

St. Charles (14-10, 1-2) looked like an offensive powerhouse in the first quarter, scoring 23 points, including 11 by point guard Michelle Marzoni who got hot from the outside.

But as quickly as the Comets started, the offense screeched to a halt just as quickly. St. Charles was stuck on three second quarter points before Becker scored twice with under a minute left, each off of Marzoni assists. St. Charles led 30-18 at halftime.

St. Charles held the lead through the third quarter, leading 47-39 entering the fourth quarter.

But Lutcher (3-9, 0-3) fired back in the fourth quarter, going on a 7-0 run to begin the period, including baskets by Taja Franklin and Tyreil Dominick. St. Charles led 47-46 with three minutes left.

With the Bulldogs on the brink of taking a lead, Marzoni drove and drew a foul before sinking two foul shots.

St. Charles stopped Lutcher on its next possession, and Becker made one-of-two from the line to extend the lead to four points.

Becker was not done from the line. She would make seven more foul shots down the stretch of the game, slamming the door on the Bulldogs’ chances.

“We were able to capitalize on their foul trouble,” said Becker. “Getting to the foul line helped us to go ahead.”

St. Charles struggled to take care of the ball in the second half, and turnovers limited their opportunities to score.

“We needed to slow down and stop rushing things,” said Becker. “We had to relax.”

Just as problematic was a series of defensive breakdowns. St. Charles attempted to press multiple times in the second half, which forced turnovers and sparked the offense. But just as often, Lutcher was able to break the pressure and convert a layup.

“We were able to mix up our defenses early,” said Remondet. “When we got sloppy, we had to get out of the press.”

Becker led St. Charles with 26 points. Marzoni scored 20.

Franklin and Dominick each scored 11 to lead Lutcher.

While the performance wasn’t perfect, the end result was – St. Charles got a win when it needed to the most.

“We came out with a lot of heart,” said Becker. “We knew we needed it bad. Winning this one should give us more confidence.”