Notre Dame hands Dexter first loss
Lady Bearcats trounced in HealthSouth opener, 63-36
CAPE GIRARDEAU --
The Dexter Lady Bearcats (5-1) stumbled for the first time on Wednesday night, falling 63-36 to Notre Dame's Lady Bulldogs in the first round of the HealthSouth Classic.
"They've got a good program and we're still young when it comes to playing in big games," said Dexter head coach Gavin Miller. "I was pleased for three quarters. I felt that for three quarters it was a two, three or four possession game and we had a chance."
One of the major factors in the loss was the inability of sophomore Rachel Blunt to play.
"(Blunt) has been throwing up all day," noted Miller. "She has a stomach flu and would have really helped us tonight especially on the offensive boards."
Dexter's two post players, Katie Dunlap and Amy Krapu, combined for 12 points, but it wasn't enough to combat Notre Dame's Ashley Millham's 23.
Millham had five 3-pointers, including one to end the first quarter. The triple gave Notre Dame a 15-11 lead going into the second quarter.
While down 25-14, Dexter opened up an 8-2 run to end the first half. In the drive, Krapu had her only bucket of the game, Amy Rose hit a trey and Stephanie Rose hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Notre Dame began to pull away in the third quarter behind five points from Millham to lead by nine heading into the fourth frame.
Things got ugly for Dexter in the final period as they allowed 21 points, including two triples from Millham. On offense, the Lady Bearcats could not respond as DHS could only muster five points.
Seniors Amy Rose and Dunlap led the Lady 'Cats with 10 points each, while Millham was the only Lady Bulldog in double figures with 23 points.
"We got beat by a better team, but there is going to be a lot of basketball between here and February and I hope we get to play them twice again this season," said Miller. "Hopefully we will have Rachel tomorrow night and we will have a better game against Perryville."
Dexter will tip off against Perryville's Lady Pirates at 5:30 p.m.
Lady Indian Jenna Leet led all scorers in this game with 15 points including two threes. Teammate Jamie Goodpasture followed by dropping in 12 points, giving the combo a combined 27 on the night.
Jackson took the lead from the beginning as they jumped out to an early 19-7 lead after the first period and had widened to a 19 point spread at the half.
Ashley Robinson was the leading scorer for Sparta on the night as she scored eight in the loss.
Jackson will take on take on Cape Central tonight at 7:00 p.m. while Sparta will tip off at 4:00 p.m. against Farmington.
Alex Wieser scored a game high 28 points for the Cape Central Lady Tigers as they rolled past Farmington 53-41. Megan McDonald combined with Wieser to score 43 points on the night while taking care of the Knights.
Natalie Bess led Farmington with 22 points as they fell by 11.
Cape took a 15-11 lead after the first quarter and held a 37-30 lead going into the fourth quarter.
In quarter number four Cape Central knocked down 16 points while holding Farmington to a game high 11.
Farmington will play at 4:00 p.m. today against Sparta and Cape takes on Jackson at 7:00 p.m.
The Lady Mules' Francis Kalich and Maggie Walchance both scored 14 points in Poplar Bluff's 12 points victory over Perryville Wednesday night.
Perryville's April Lorenz was the big story of the night though as she exploded for a first round high of 29 points, including three treys.
Even with Lorenz contributing 63 percent of her teams offense, the Lady Pirates could never recuperate from the 19 spot that PBHS put on them in the first period.
Poplar Bluff continued strong in the second quarter as they held a 35-21 lead at the half.
The Lady Mules dumped in another 17 in the third quarter to all but seal the deal with one frame remaining.
Perryville attempted a late comeback by posting 14 in the fourth, but it was too little too late as Poplar Bluff took the first round victory.
Poplar Bluff will play Notre Dame in round two at 8:30 p.m. tonight while Perryville plays Dexter at 5:30 p.m.