SHS uses turnovers to down Lady Eagles

Sikeston's Keyonna Blissett goes up for a shot against Oran Wednesday night at the Sikeston Field House. (Photo by David Jenkins, Staff)

SIKESTON -- At times this season, turnovers have been the downfall of the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs basketball team. On Wednesday night, Sikeston flipped the script and used Oran's turnovers against them in a 51-43 win.

"I think (Oran) played well down the stretch but the turnover bug bit them tonight more than it bit us," said Sikeston coach Homer Jackson. "Defensively we turned it up a notch. It reminds me of our first game (against Doniphan) when we played that same type of defense, help defense. We did a better job of communicating and it showed tonight."

Sikeston forced 25 Oran turnovers in the game with many coming off of steals that the Lady Bulldogs converted into layups. The Lady Bulldogs finished the game with 16 steals as Keyonna Blissett was responsible for seven.

"As far as anticipation when the ball was a away from her and thinking about the second and third play, I think Keyonna has done a very good job," Jackson said. "We are trying to get the rest of our girls on that same page to think not just one play, but the second, third and fourth play."

After holding a slim 14-13 lead after one quarter, the Lady Bulldogs outscored Oran 12-6 in the second quarter, including a 7-2 run in the final 2:30 minutes of the half. A big reason for Sikeston getting the advantage was containing Oran's Cheyanne King. The junior had six points in the first quarter but was held to just two points in the second.

"At the beginning of the game (King) was getting what she wanted inside," Jackson said. "We tried to make her work a little extra on the offensive end and hopefully that would wear her down at the end of the game and I think that helped a little bit for us."

In the second half, Sikeston's defense continued forcing turnovers as the Lady Bulldogs built a 32-22 advantage on a Jerrica Taylor basket midway through the third quarter. However Oran fought back and finished the quarter on a 6-0 run, cutting the Sikeston advantage to 32-28.

Oran twice cut the Sikeston lead to three in the fourth quarter, with the last being 38-35 but back-to-back baskets from Tyanne Townsend gave the Lady Bulldogs a 42-35 lead and the Lady Eagles couldn't recover.

"We were a little sloppy and we came out lethargic in the first half," said Oran coach Adam Friga. "We just didn't take care of the ball tonight but it ended on a positive note because our effort picked up in the second half. It's just growing pains and we've got to learn to get better."

As Oran tried to cut into the Sikeston lead, their chances were limited as the Lady Bulldogs dominated the glass from start to finish, outrebounding the Lady Eagles 44-28. Taylor and Asia Liggins both grabbed nine rebounds apiece for Sikeston.

"I thought Jerrica Taylor came in and did a good job of getting boards," Jackson said. "Down the stretch when we needed a big rebound she came through with it."

King had 10 rebounds for Oran but one of their top rebounders, Claire Seyer, spent much of the game on the bench in foul trouble.

"Claire is a good rebounder and she only played only about five minutes tonight and that hurt us," Friga said. "But (Sikeston) did a good job on the boards."

Sikeston was led in scoring by Blissett and Liggins as both finished with 14 points.

King paced Oran with 16 points as Shelby Unger chipped in nine.

Sikeston won a two quarter junior varsity game 14-11.

Sikeston (4-10) will play at Scott City tonight while Oran (7-7) will host Charleston tonight.

ORAN (43) -- Shelbie Seyer 4, Abbey Anderson 1, Claire Seyer 1, Shelby Unger 9, Haley Glastetter 8, Taylor Irwin 4, Cheyanne King 16. FG 17, FT 5-11, F 18. (3-pointers: S. Seyer 1, Unger 1. Fouled out: C. Seyer).

SIKESTON (51) -- Tyanne Townsend 5, Keyonna Blissett 14, Darquesha Howard 6, Asia Liggins 14, Tyangela Gibson 1, Shaela Draper 2, Jerrica Taylor 4, Jani Ivory 5. FG 20, FT 11-28, F 17. (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: Blissett).