The Switzerland County Lady Pacers earned a 50-46 win on Tuesday against the Milan Lady Indians.
The Lady Pacers took the lead in the first quarter with Ashley Bright, Amber Smith and April Thieman all scoring; and the opening period ended with Switzerland County holding a 14-9 lead.
In the second quarter Lady Pacers Amber Smith, Megan McCarty and Tanya Sefton all scored before the Lady Indians scored their first bucket of the period, allowing the Lady Pacers to open up a 2-11 lead.
The Lady Pacers outscored the Lady Indians 19-12 in the second quarter – highlighted by a three point bucket from Ashley Bright and four points at the line from April Thieman. Switzerland County headed to the locker room at the half leading by a score of 33-21.
As well as Switzerland County played in the first half, the third quarter belonged to the Lady Indians.
“We lost a little composure in the second half but we got it back,” Coach Wayne Ellegood said. “Our team is a little short on the bench.”
Courtney Cole was missed in the game, as she is out with an injury to her knee. She is expected to have surgery on her ACL and meniscus today (Thursday), and will be out for the rest of the season.
Only two Lady Pacers who scored during the third quarter were Amber Smith, who scored a bucket; and Megan McCarty, who added one point at the line.
The Lady Indians, however, gained 15 points – which included several threes from Kelly Stutler.
The third quarter ended with a tie score of 36-36.
In the fourth quarter, Coach Ellegood got his team back on track, as Tanya Sefton and Ashley Bright scored in the first two minutes of the period.
Milan answered back with a bucket and a three pointer to take the lead, 43-40; but April Thieman hit a basket with 2:37 left to pull the Lady Pacers to within a point.
Milan answered back with yet another three pointer, swelling its lead to four points, 46-42.
Switzerland County countered, as Lady Pacer Amber Smith hit a three point basket to get back to within one point of the Lady Indians lead. With Switzerland County cranking up the defensive pressure, Amber Smith stole the ball and connected on a basket to give Switzerland County a one point lead with only seconds left on the clock.
After Milan failed to connect on its offensive end of the floor, Tanya Sefton was shoved by a Lady Indian player, which resulted in a flagrant foul being called, which gave Switzerland County two freethrows and possession of the ball.
The junior guard connected on both freethrows, which expanded the lead to 49-46. Ashley Bright was last to score for the Lady Pacers, connecting on one attempt from the line, and that wrapped up the 50-46 win.
The top scorer for the Lady Pacers was Ashley Bright with 17 points; while Amber Smith finished with 11 points. Tanya Sefton had nine points; April Thieman had eight; and Megan McCarty finished the game with five.
*
The Lady Pacer jayvee team earned a win 37-15 against the Lady Indians. The top scorer with double figures was Maggie Armstrong, who finished with 10 points. Chelsea Peters had seven points; and Jenna Daugherty and Carrie Truax each finished with six points. Christina Ahaus had four points; while Katie Rayls and Karista Wengert finished with two points each.