The Lady Saints used a near shutout in the second quarter to build a big halftime lead and cruise to a season-opening victory on the road against Hampton Christian Tuesday night, 47-26.

Nansemond-Suffolk never trailed as Michelle Boucher’s three-pointer from the left corner and Ellen Giermak’s basket in the lane off a Boucher assist put the Lady Saints ahead 5-0 to start.

The Lady Warriors closed to 5-4 as the home team’s full court press briefly troubled the Lady Saints.

Three-pointers from a pair of Jennas off the bench took away any momentum HC might have gained.

First, Jenna Starkey hit one from the right wing and on the next Saints trip down the floor, Jenna Robb connected from the left wing, making it 11-4 with about three minutes left in the first quarter.

In the last 30 seconds of the period, Parris Grieder knocked in a 15-foot jumper from the foul line and on the following HC possession, picked off a pass at the top of the key and took it herself for a breakaway layup to give NSA a 17-6 lead going to the second period.

Grieder put in two more baskets in the second period, and led the Lady Saints with eight first half points, but the team’s defensive pressure was the key to opening the gap as Hampton Christian was held to one point in the quarter and NSA led 29-7 at the break.

NSA forced 20 HC turnovers in the half and held their opponents to two-for-18 (11.1 percent) shooting from the floor.

NSA kept at least an 18-point margin throughout the second half as all 12 Lady Saints saw 10 or more minutes of action.

The Lady Saints substitutes combined for 20 of the team’s 47 points.

Grieder finished with a game-high 12 points for the Lady Saints.

Boucher’s opening trey was her only score of the game as the rest of the way, she dished out seven assists instead.

Jessie Kitz added nine points and four rebounds.

The Lady Saints home opener is Tuesday as they host Norfolk Academy in a non-TCIS game.

andrew.giermak@suffolknewsherald.com