New Millennium girls basketball coach Kevin Thomas had a pre-game scouting report on Friday's opponent - Seton Catholic. It was summed up with the attributes "physically imposing, efficient team."

That description was spot on. Seton took a few minutes to get situated, but once it did controlled the game and knocked off visiting Millennium, 59-41, in a match up of defending 2020 conference champions.

Seton, the defending 4A state champs and No. 1 in the current 4A power-rankings, improved to 10-0. Millennium, two-time 5A defending state champs, were No. 2 in the 5A power rankings. The Tigers saw their record drop to 6-2. 

An offensive burst he final five minutes of the first quarter concluding two-and-half minutes in to the second resulted in a 21-2 run. (21-8 advantage). The Sentinels led at halftime 26-18. Seton had three players score in double figures - senior Amanda Barcello (game-high 20 points) and juniors Lexi McNabb (16) and Sasha Daniel (11). 

Every Seton starter scored in the first period. Barcello made all four of her field goal attempts in the first half (two of them treys) to help the Sentinels take command. The defensive effort was good all around and spearheaded by Daniel. Daniel had the task of guarding Millennium's senior leader and point guard Kassidy Dixon. Dixon finished with four points, eight less than her average.

"Sasha really got after Kassidy," Seton coach Karen Self said. "She and Amanda set the tone for the game. We got off slow, but the kids stayed patient. It was a total team effort against a very good team."

Millennium connected on two threes early in the third period to pull within 28-24 in the first 90 seconds of the quarter. Seton forced a rash of turnovers after that (eight in the period) and finished the quarter on a 13-2 run. Millennium did not make a run in the fourth quarter.

Daniel and Barcello came up with several defensive plays that led to layups in the third period run. Barcello blocked a shot, scooped up the ball and hit Daniel for an easy layup. Daniel contributed a couple of steals and worked a pretty fast break with Barcello to highlight the third period.

"We came out of this identifying things we need to improve on," Thomas said. "We can credit Seton for that. They took away the things we wanted to do."

Millennium was led in scoring by sophomore Mia Amundsen with 14 points and its leading scorer for the season freshman Elli Guiney with 11. Amundsen had six points through three quarters and Guiney four through three.

Seton next plays Monday at home against Coconino while Millennium's next game is Tuesday at home vs. Ironwood.