Nansemond-Suffolk Academy girls’ basketball defeated Norfolk Collegiate Wednesday evening.

The Lady Saints were able to get a 45-39 victory in their first game of the new year. NSA coach Kim Aston said her team was eager to return to action after the holiday break and then blizzard kept them off the court.

They stormed out of the gate, outscoring Norfolk Collegiate 16-6 in the first quarter. In the second quarter, they outscored their opponent 15-6. After a flat third quarter in which Norfolk Collegiate started to claw its way back into the game, NSA pulled it back together in the fourth.

Alivia Giles led the Lady Saints in scoring with 17. Lauren Saunders followed with 10 points. As a team, NSA outrebounded Norfolk Collegiate and recorded 11 steals as well.

Dec. 16 was the last time the Lady Saints had stepped on the court in official action. Over the break, Aston said she had reinforced their defensive intensity. There was a certain level of expected rust from the Lady Saints after not playing for so long. Nonetheless, the Lady Saints were happy the weather was able to pass over, and they were able to get back to action.

It was good for NSA to come out on top in a home conference game.

“It felt great getting back on the court, especially with a win,” guard Kaylah Brown said. “We were all so excited to get back on the court, and I felt like it showed. Everyone was communicating and we all hustled. We lacked a little focus in the third quarter, but we were able to play hard and aggressive defense in the fourth to pull out the win.”

They will face Steward School at home at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

NSA 45, Norfolk Collegiate 39

Norfolk Collegiate—6 6 16 11—39

NSA—16 15 2 12—45

NSA—Giles 17, Saunders 10, Brown 9, Waddy 3, King 2, Herrod 2, Hogg 2

Norfolk Collegiate—Grinnan 14, Powell 13, Dawson 10, Krantz 2