By JASON VIOX\Daily Journal Sports Writer

Published: Sunday, January 23, 2005
Updated: Saturday, January 22, 2005 11:52 PM CST

PARK HILLS - The Mineral Area Lady Cardinals were at a big disadvantage against the 18th ranked Moberly Lady Greyhounds. Mineral Area currently has three injured starters, and the game would not get any easier against the Lady Greyhounds on Saturday. Moberly proved to the Lady Cardinals why they are ranked with an 80-57 victory.

Mineral Area (9-8) had foul trouble and struggled to get any second scoring chances. Although Moberly (17-3) didn't have lead scorer Amber Lewellen, their press forced several scoring opportunities.

MAC's Anna Brisso started off the contest with a quick three. Moberly countered with a 6-0 scoring run to take the lead. After a matched field goal, Sarah Dietiker knocked down a three-pointer for the Lady Cardinals for an 8-8 tie. The game was tied again 12-12 when a field goal by Moberly's Nikya Hughes and one free throw by Brisso gave the Lady Greyhounds a one-point lead.

Both clubs scored six straight points, but Moberly came back with an 8-0 scoring drive which included a triple by Janesha Washington. The two teams traded one basket at a time as the Lady Greyhounds maintained a 35-26 lead. Moberly came back with five consecutive points which included another three by Washington. The first half ended in favor of Moberly by the score of 47-32 .

The two teams exchanged buckets to start off the second half, but the Lady Greyhounds later drained four straight free throws for a 55-38 lead. Brisso retaliated with her second three-pointer of the night. Moberly later scored six straight points as for a 63-43 lead. Mineral Area's Robin Sane broke up the drive with a field goal, but the Lady Greyhounds countered with a 5-0 scoring run.

Alycea Wallace ended the run with a reverse lay-up, but Moberly made six more points for a 74-47 game. Brisso narrowed the deficit with two three-pointers. The Lady Cardinals later scored four more points, but La Tanya Stokes sank a three for the Lady Greyhounds right before the end of the contest.

Mineral Area's foul trouble eventually left only one substitute on the Lady Cardinals' bench. "We're not going to be able to compete when those things happen," stated head coach Lana LaBruyere.

The Lady Cardinals plan on getting back on the winning track when they travel to Godfrey, IL for a conference game against Lewis and Clark on Monday.

Mineral Area - 32 25 - 57

Moberly - 47 33 - 80

SCORING:

Mineral Area - A Brisso 24, S Dietiker 12, E Anderson 11, A Wallace 6, R Sane 4

3-Pointers A Brisso 4, S Dietiker 2

Moberly - M Williams 21, N Hughes 16, J Washington 15, D Tiller 10, F Tucker 4, A Baker 4, L Stokes 3, A Lovelady 2, D Murphy 2, S Payne 1

3-Pointers - J Washington 3, L Stokes 1, N Hughes 1, D Tiller 1