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Lincoln-Way North’s Ellen Graham appreciated the strength of Bloom powerful post player Bria Gaines.

North’s Valen Manns was impressed with the penetrating abilities of speedy Bloom guard Danielle King.

But they weren’t in awe. Or at least it seemed that way during Lincoln-Way North’s shocking 52-27 victory over No. 5 Bloom in the third-place game at the Rich South Galaxy tournament.

Graham finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds, Manns 10 points and six rebounds, and Kayla Kieklak nine points and five rebounds as North improved to 3-1.

Bloom (3-2) received 14 points from Gaines, but only two in the second half. King finished with four points.

The stunning turn of events began to unfold late in the second period, when with Bloom leading 18-16 Sam Pietruszynski twice penetrated and was fouled while shooting. She hit all four free throws, before Leigh Larocco ended the half with a driving layup.

It was not a short-lived momentum change.

North scored the first basket of the third period with an air hook by Graham, and went on to outscore the Blazing Trojans in the quarter, 13-4.

Bloom, which shot just 1-for-19 in the third quarter, struggled mightily against North’s combination of 1-3-1 and 2-3 zone defenses.

“We closed out and boxed out a lot and made sure to control the boards defensively,” Graham said. “We just powered through it.”

At the other end, the Phoenix had more and more success running the ball downcourt and converting layups. The outside game, while not as proficient, clicked with 6:43 remaining when Ashley Weringa drained a 3-pointer to make it 38-22.

“I think it was our fast breaks,” Manns said. “We hustled and hustled every time we went down the court. We got our momentum going and never stopped.”

With the score 42-22 and five minutes still remaining, Bloom coach Ron Newquist pulled his starters.

“We were not prepared to play this game and I take full responsibility for it. Obviously I didn’t have them prepared,” Newquist said. “We showed no heart and zero energy.

“We talked about how we had to give that full effort. We had a good practice. We were ready. And we came out and do this? I don’t know. I can’t put a finger on it right now. I told them I was extremely disappointed in their overall effort. They acted like they didn’t care today. And that bothers me.”