Lady Pacers open season with home win over South Dearborn
The Switzerland County Lady Pacer varsity basketball team opened its new season last Tuesday night with a 50-43 victory over South Dearborn.
The win was secured by Coach Brooke Todd’s crew putting three players in double figures, and used a big third quarter to break open a close game and earn the victory.
Switzerland County was ahead 8-6 after the first eight minutes of play, with Halle Archer converting two baskets while Courtney Higgins and Macy Collier had two points each.
The close game continued into the second period, where South Dearborn went on a run to outscore the Lady Pacers in the stanza by a 12-9 count to take an 18-17 lead into the halftime break.
Lady Pacer scoring in the second quarter was led by Bri Stow, who had five points on a three-pointer and a field goal. Molly Wrightsman and Higgins each had buckets to account for the remainder of the scoring.
Coming out of halftime, the third period was key for Switzerland County, as they outscored the Lady Knights by a 17-11 margin to move in front by five — 34-29 — with eight minutes to play.
Archer led the way with four field goals for eight points; while Stow continued her hot shooting, scoring another five points on her second three-pointer of the contest and another field goal.
Kenzie Taylor had three points on a field goal and a freethrow; and Collier converted a freethrow for one point.
Moving into the fourth period, again the two teams went toe-to-toe — but again Switzerland County held firm, outscoring their guests by a 16-14tally to secure the victory.
Freethrows told much of the story in the fourth, as Switzerland County went to the line 13 times in the stanza, making eight of those attempts.
The scoring in the fourth was balanced, with Higgins making a field goal and converting four freethrows for six points; Collier made two freethrows and added a field goal for four points; Stow had another bucket; Archer had a freethrow; and Wrightsman had a field goal and a freethrow for three points.
At the final buzzer, the Lady Pacers had earned a 50-43 victory.
Archer led Switzerland County with 13 points and she also pulled down five rebounds.
Stow was in double figures with 12 points; and Higgins made it a trio of double-digit scorers, as she had 10 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
Collier had seven points and five rebounds; Taylor had three points and six boards; and Wrightsman had five points.
Natalie Rupp led South Dearborn with 15 points.
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In the junior varsity game, the Lady Pacers won by a score of 41-15.
Molly Wrightsman had an outstanding game to lead Switzerland County, finishing with 10 points on two three-pointers and a pair of field goals.
Addie Kelso had eight points; Carlee Boggs finished with seven; while Terra Oeffinger and Ashlyn Covington each added four.
Lauren Smith, Claire Rogers, Maddie Levell and Isabella Breeck each contributed two points.