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Lady Plainsmen struggle offensively losing in overtime 65-61 to Western Texas |
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Tuesday, January 15 2008 |
By Rusty Berry
Sports Editor
The Frank Phillips College Lady Plainsmen fell to Western Texas 61-65 in overtime.
From the start of the game it seemed the Lady Plainsmen had a difficult time getting their shots to fall, which they struggled with throughout the game. Western Texas would get on the board with a free throw, but the first shot that went in for either team did not come until four minutes had past, with Western Texas hitting a jumper to take a 0-3 lead.
Katiya Jackson would try to get things going for the Lady Plainsmen, scoring the team’s first eight points, to lead them to a 8-8 tie with Western Texas half way through the first half. After exchanging a couple of baskets, Western Texas would take a five point lead, 15-20, by taking advantage of the Lady Plainsmen offensive struggles.
The Lady Plainsmen would come back to take a one point lead, 21-20, by being solid at the free throw line. After Western Texas took the lead again, the Lady Plainsmen would get a little spark offensively with Jazmine Smith driving the court to get a good shot and Julia Pantsuikh hitting a three to take a three point lead going into half-time, 30-27.
The Lady Plainsmen would start the second half strong with the team taking a seven point lead, 36-29, led by Stasia Holden scoring four straight. Until the last five minutes of the second half, the Lady Plainsmen kept playing good defense and finding ways to get points to maintain a decent lead, 47-39, coming down the stretch. Western Texas would then get hot from behind the three point line and would start chipping away at the lead with the Lady Plainsmen not being able to answer back.
With 10 seconds left, and the scored tied, 55-55, Western Texas looked to got a great break by getting the foul to send Marah Guzman to the line. Fortunately for the Lady Plainsmen, Guzman would miss the free throws and the game would go into overtime.
Overtime started good for the Lady Plainsmen, with Pantsuikh hitting a three to get the early 58-55 lead. Western Texas would answer back and then get a steal for another basket to take the lead back 59-61.
With the Lady Plainsmen still trailing by only two, Guzman for Western Texas would be sent to the free throw line again, with the game on the line. Unfortunately, this time Guzman would hit the free throws to give Western Texas a four point lead, 61-65, with only four seconds left.
Overall, the Lady Plainsmen played well on defense and looked to be on their way to grind out a win despite struggling on offense. But Western Texas found a way to stick in and come out of Borger with the big conference win. The Lady Plainsmen go to 2-3 in conference play.
Stat leaders for the Lady Plainsmen were: Jackson with 24 points and eight rebounds; Holden with 10 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks; Maureen Wasuda with eight points and five rebounds; and Shervon Garner with six points and six rebounds. The team shot 25 for 31 from the free throw line. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, January 16 2008 )
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