CLAREMONT — It’s not a misprint: The Stevens High girls basketball team really held visiting Campbell to six points in a playoff game.

The No. 3 seed Cardinals, whose only two losses came against top-seeded Conant, took the No. 14 seed Cougars to task on the defensive side Wednesday night, working their full-court press to near perfection and not allowing any easy shots in a 45-6 romp in the NHIAA Division III first round.

“We talked about it all year: If we’re going to do anything serious, we’re going to have to hang our hat on the defensive end,” Stevens coach Steve Condon said. “It’s good to see, and I hope they’re seeing that it’s paying off.

“When we defend, we can play with anybody. The offense comes along with the defense, but if we can get it started on that end, whether full-court or half-court, it really gets us going.”

Sophomore point guard Bella Bovell led the defensive effort, putting together an impressive individual performance considering she did not score a point. Bovell helped trap the Cougars’ ball handlers in the backcourt, and on the offensive end, she helped set up junior shooting guard Kiley Bundy and senior post players Alyssa Paquette and Tara Sullivan for open looks.

Bundy finished with 22 points, including four 3-pointers, and she fueled a 28-0 Cardinals run that lasted from midway through the first quarter to the final minute of the third. Sullivan had eight points, stepping out to can a pair of open 3-pointers, and Paquette chipped in with seven points.

“If someone’s getting doubled, you have someone else to pass to,” Bovell said. “We can always rely on each other, we support each other and just cheer each other up.”

Stevens, which has just nine varsity players, kept its foot on the gas throughout, though Condon did empty the bench in the fourth quarter, giving freshmen Audrina Pelton and Lily Eagan their first taste of the postseason. The Cardinals’ third freshman, Addison Derosier, is a regular part of their rotation and frequently spelled senior Stella Lavertue on Wednesday as the starter dealt with foul trouble.

Alyvia Ashe had all six points for Campbell, on a first-quarter 3-pointer and a layup and a free throw in the third.

“Our guards really took care of it and got all the steals for us,” Paquette said. “It definitely helped us push the pace and get transition offense. It’s great to have them up there.”

In Saturday’s quarterfinal at Frederick W. Carr Gymnasium, Stevens will face No. 6 seed Winnisquam, a 57-45 winner over 11th-seeded Newport in the opening round. The Cardinals defeated the Bears, 57-43, in the regular-season finale last Friday in Tilton.

“We ended the season pretty strong, and we just had to get ready for focusing on the next game, not trying to think ahead to anything further,” Condon said. “Our offense wasn’t quite where it needs to be for this time of year, but we’ll just keep chipping away and hopefully put some more things together for the next game.”

Benjamin Rosenberg can be reached at brosenberg@vnews.com or 603-727-3302.

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