The Switzerland County Lady Pacers suffered another tough loss on Friday night, falling by a final score of 47-39 to rival Rising Sun.
The game also held special meaning, because both teams and schools worked to raise money for cancer research.
Both teams came into the game looking for their first win of the season, and after the first quarter, they were tied at 7-7. McKenli Scudder had four points in the opening quarter for Switzerland County; while Aleiah Thomas had the other three. Rising Sun saw its star, Lucy Carrigan, get rolling early, as the senior had six points and Sydney Bostic contributed a freethrow.
The Lady Shiner pulled away with a big second period, outscoring Switzerland County 12-6 over the eight minute span to grab a 19-13 lead at the half.
Again it was Thomas and Scudder providing the Switzerland County offense, as Thomas connected on a three-pointer and Scudder had a basket and a freethrow. Rising Sun got a balanced attack in the quarter, with Carrigan adding five more, Danyka Groover contributing three points; and Kinsey Price and Sydney Pitts each had a basket.
The third quarter again saw a close battle, as Switzerland County came back to claim the period 12-11 over its hosts.
Kinsley Griffith provided the big offensive spark for the Lady Pacers in the quarter, accounting for six points; while Thomas, Jody Breeck, and Calleigh Powell each had a basket.
Rising Sun got a big quarter from Danyka Groover, as she had seven points; while Carrigan had the other four. After three quarters, the Lady Shiners held a 30-25 advantage.
The Lady Shiners again ran off a big quarter in the final eight minutes, outscoring Switzerland County 17-14 to push out to a final margin of eight points, 47-39.
In that last stanza, Lexi Lay got hot from the outside, connecting on a pair of three-pointers for six points; while Thomas had another three-pointer and paired that with a freethrow for four points. Scudder had two more buckets in the fourth.
The balance continued for Rising Sun in the fourth, as Danyka Groover and Carrigan each had five points; Maddi Wilson had four; Bostic added two more; and Pitts had a freethrow.
For the game, Thomas led the way in double figures with 12; while Scudder was also in double digits, adding 11. Lay and Griffith each had six; while Breeck and Powell each chipped in two.
Carrigan led Rising Sun with 20 points on the night; while Danyka Groove was in double figures with 15. Wilson had four; Bostic and Pitts both had three; and Price added two.
There was no junior varsity game.