Kelly holds off Scott Central in conference action

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

SIKESTON - The Kelly Lady Hawks basketball team defeated the Scott County Central Bravettes on the road Monday night, 61-55.

Scott Central raced out to a 23-14 lead after one quarter of action, but foul trouble haunted the Bravettes in the second quarter.

Point guard Brittney Peet of the Bravettes had to sit most of the second quarter with foul trouble.

Kelly took advantage converting turnovers into points and outscored Scott Central 18-6 in the quarter to take a 32-29 lead at halftime.

"I believe Peet played only one minute in the second quarter," said Scott Central head coach Semona Penrod. "As soon as she sat down, we committed seven or eight straight turnovers in a row. We just mentally broke down in the second quarter. We made too many bad decisions and Kelly capitalized."

Kelly extended their lead to 47-43 heading into the fourth quarter, after outscoring Scott Central 15-14 in the quarter.

The Lady Hawks played solid defense in the fourth quarter and were patient on the offensive end.

Their patience paid off with a 5-0 run that spanned over four minutes in the quarter. Kelly led 52-43 with 3:40 to play in the game.

"The girls came out tonight with a different attitude," said Kelly head coach Rod McQuerter. "The game last Thursday against Poplar Bluff (Kelly lost 48-32) was a wake-up call. The girls were more patient tonight and took what the defense gave them."

Kelly built its biggest lead of the fourth, 57-47, with 1:40 to play when the Bravettes started to make one final push for victory. Scott Central went on a 8-1 run over the next minute of the quarter. Solid defense and timely shooting sparked the Bravettes.

Samantha Jones got a steal and a breakaway lay-in to cut the Scott Central deficit to 58-53. A 10-foot jumper in the lane by Peet capped the run for the Bravettes and they trailed 58-55 with 20 seconds left in the contest.

On Kelly's next offensive possession, point guard Brittany Ponder was fouled and went to the charity stripe with 15 seconds remaining.

Ponder hit the first, but missed the second foul shot. To add injury to the miss, the Lady Hawks were called for over the back trying to gain the offensive rebound, sending the Bravettes to the foul line.

Scott Central had a chance to cut into the lead without time running off the clock. Unfortunately for Bravette fans, Jamisha Williams missed both foul attempts and Kelly secured the rebound still leading 59-55 with 13 seconds left.

Ponder sealed the game for the Lady Hawks by hitting her two foul shots and Kelly gained the 61-55 road win.

"We hit some clutch free-throws late," said McQuerter. "Scott Central is a very good team and we needed every shot down the stretch. This is a big win for our girls and I think we showed tonight that if we pass the ball effectively, positive things can happen for us."

Sophomore Debra Hall led Kelly with 20 points and Ponder was the other double-digit scorer for the Lady Hawks with 16 points.

Kelly won the game from the foul line.

The Lady Hawks went 27-for-38 from the line, while the Bravettes were only 10-for-17.

Jones led Scott Central with 17 points.

Brianna Johnson had 13 points and Peet chipped in 11 points for the Bravettes.

"This is a tough loss," said Penrod. "We didn't come out strong, didn't run the floor well. I know we were outrebounded. Kelly just outplayed us plain and simple."

Kelly (18-4) travels to Dexter tonight to face the Lady Bearcats starting at 6 p.m.

Scott Central (16-5) hosts Chaffee on Thursday.

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