Overcoming an ugly start, the Archbishop Williams High School girls' basketball team managed to finish another win in fine fashion.

Marianna Barry led a balanced attack, notching a game high 14 points and Sara Ryan added 10 points as the Bishops pulled away with a 51-32 win over Norte Dame of Hingham in Thursday night's Catholic Conference League match-up at Archbishop Williams. Coupled with victories over Bishop Feehan and Bishop Fenwick, the Bishops improved to 3-0.

In the past four years, the Bishops have claimed two Division 3 state championships, while reaching the state semifinals twice.

For veteran coach Jim Bancroft, the expectations are always high, but with just eight players eligible on the varsity roster, a 3-0 start has been faced with some adversity.

"We have two of our starters out with injuries, so we only have eight in rotation right now,'' said Bancroft. "We're injured right now, but the girls are pulling through and getting the job done. We should have our two other girls back from injuries come the first week of January."

Also contributing for the Bishops was junior center Kayla Papazian, who recorded 10 points while hauling down 16 rebounds.

"[Kayla] has done a great job for us this season,'' Bancroft said. "She's been playing great defense and has really come through as a top rebounder for us. She's doing all the little things out there to make it happen."

Throughout the first 4:28 of the first quarter, the Cougars controlled the pace of the game as baskets by McKenna Cudgma and Alex Dalton paved the way for an early 4-2 lead. After a three point play by Audrey Bizak, the Cougars established a 7-2 edge.

"We looked lethargic in the first half, and we couldn't get anything going,'' Bancroft said. "Our shots weren't falling, an we were having a tough time moving the ball offensively. We were a little sloppy with the basketball in the early going."

Led by Christine Chase and Barry, the Bishops regained momentum and created a 9-0 run. Following a free throw, Chase nailed a runner before a free throw by Papazian and a three pointer by Chase handed the Bishops an 11-7 lead.

Despite being held scoreless for the first 4:32 of the second quarter, the Bishops retained a 13-12 lead as both teams continued to commit turnovers at well. Baskets by Aruda and a lay-up by Cudgma gave the Cougars a 14-13 lead before the Bishops capped a 3-1 run to close the half. After Ryan connected on a free throw, Ryan followed with a lay-up in the final seconds as the Bishops entered the half with an 18-17 lead.

Early in the third quarter, the Cougars engineered a 6-1 run as a pair of put backs from Colleen McClelland and a jumper by Casey Hult paved the way for a 23-19 lead.

Following a time out, the Bishops regrouped and finished the quarter on a 12-2 run.

After a pair of lay-ups by Barry, Chase nailed a three pointer from the top of the key before Ryan completed a three point play as the Bishops transformed a four point deficit into a 31-25 lead at quarter's end.

"We started picking it up in the second half,'' Bancroft said. "We started hitting our shots and capitalizing off the turnovers we created. We were driving the ball to the basket."

Clinging to a 31-27 lead early in the fourth quarter, the Bishops emerged on a backbreaking 12-0 run that spanned 3:12. After a runner by Julie Bloomer, Barry and Papazian nailed consecutive runners, extending the lead to 39-27 with 5:05 remaining. Emma Manning followed with a jumper and a pair of Papazian free throws gave the Bishops a commanding 43-27 edge with 4:37 left.

A brief 4-0 run by the Cougars trimmed the gap to 43-31, but Papazian guided a game ending 8-1 run on a jumper and a pair of free throws to secure the victory.

"Hopefully, everybody will be healthy by the time January rolls around,'' Bancroft said. "We didn't play as well as I had hoped, but we'll take the win."

Before returning to conference play in January, the Bishops will spend the holiday break participating in a two day tournament next week in Brooklyn.