The Switzerland County Lady Pacers earned an important ORVC win 42-36 against the South Ripley Lady Raiders last Thursday evening.
Both teams got off to a sluggish start, as Switzerland County went the first three minutes of play without scoring until Amber Smith connected on a freethrow with five minutes remaining in the period.
The Lady Pacer defense would send the Lady Raiders to the line three different times in the first quarter; they connected on all six from the charity stripe.
Amber Smith and Megan McCarty each connected on a basket before the quarter ended, and the South Ripley team connected on one before the low scoring quarter wrapped up with the Lady Raiders leading 8-5.
The second quarter scoring began with Megan McCarty stealing the ball from the Lady Raiders and connecting on a bucket. Ashley Bright followed that with a three-pointer before the South Ripley team could get back on the scoreboard. The Lady Pacers outscored the Lady Raiders 12-7 in the second quarter, including a three-point play by Morgan Ross at the close of the half, and took a 17-15 lead into the locker room.
The third quarter began with South Ripley tying the game; and the contest got physical under the boards, as both teams battled for rebounds.
South Ripley was much stronger in rebounding, collecting 44 on the night to Switzerland County’s 23 rebounds, but the Lady Pacers hit key shots at important times to stay ahead on the scoreboard.
April Thieman had a basket and two freethrows during the third stanza; while Amber Smith added a basket and a freethrow and Ashley Bright connected on two freethrow attempts.
But the game continued to be a back-and-forth affair, and after three quarters of play, the game was tied at 26-26.
In the final quarter the Lady Pacers took the lead as Morgan Ross and Amber Smith connected on baskets in the first moments of the period.
The Lady Pacers spent much of the fourth quarter at the freethrow line, as South Riley tried to regain possession of the ball; but coach Wayne Ellegood’s troops were a perfect 6-for-6 at the charity stripe to close out the win.
Overall, the Lady Pacers were 13-for-16 from the freethrow line for the game.
The outstanding freethrow shooting and more timely buckets pushed Switzerland County to a 16-8 fourth quarter scoring advantage over South Ripley, earning a 42-36 victory.
The top scorer for the Lady Pacers was Amber Smith, who finished in double figures with 13 points – including two three-pointers. Ashley Bright also finished in double figures with 11 points; and Morgan Ross made it three Lady Pacers in double figures by contributing 10 points.
April Thieman and Megan McCarty each finished with four points on the night.
The Lady Pacers will wrap up their regular season at home tonight (Thursday), when they face Madison Shawe.
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The Switzerland County jayvee team lost by a score of 34-27 to South Ripley.
The top scorer for the Lady Pacers was Carrie Truax who had seven points, two steals and four rebounds.
Lauren Chase and Christina Ahaus scored four points each; while Jenna Daugherty finished with three points. Chelsea Peters, Karista Wengert, Shana Todd and Maggie Armstrong each finished with two points; and Shana Todd also pulled down four rebounds; and Maggie Armstrong collected five steals. Casey Sharp added a point in the game.