A defensive adjustment proved crucial for the Edison Eagles Thursday, as they were able to erase an early deficit to beat Yorktown 69-54.

The teams wore pink and the gymnasium was covered in pink and white streamers and balloons to promote breast cancer awareness. Before the game, the teams took a moment to honor Phil Keating, who passed away on Tuesday. His daughter is a former Yorktown Patriot.

Both teams began the game determined to play up-tempo basketball and never took eased off the pedal, as both offenses operated in fast-break mode. Patriot freshman guard Mikayla Venson was seemingly unstoppable in the first quarter, and with the scored tied at seven, Yorktown went on a 11-7 run to end with an 18-14 lead. Venson sank three 3-pointers and scored 16 points in the first.

Edison started the second quarter by slowing the tempo down a bit to set up plays and find the open shot. Senior Krystyna Watts sank a 3-pointer to bring the Eagles within one point, and after a steal and layup by Kierra Graham, the Eagles took back the lead. Edison also made a key change in defensive strategy to hold Yorktown to only two field goals in the second quarter.

"We changed up our defensive scheme because Mikayla was killing us shooting from the outside," said Edison coach Dianne Lewis. "She was really hard to stop, so we decided to keep someone draped on her the entire time and make her work for her shots."

The Eagles began the third quarter with the same defensive pressure on Venson, forcing Yorktown to move the ball inside and score from the paint. The Patriots had some success in the post, and caused a few turnovers to keep the score close, but the damage was already done.

"We started the game with a lot of intensity and hit some big shots, but Edison is a great team with good players inside and out," said Yorktown coach David Garrison. "They were able to establish their inside game, and anytime that happens against a team like them you're going to be in trouble."

Edison had four players in double-digits, with Ruth Sherill leading the way with 15. Kierra Graham and Krystyna Watts each had 14 points, and Christine Dua had 13.

Venson led the Patriots in scoring with 20 points.