By JASON VIOX/Daily Journal Sports Writer

Published: Sunday, January 22, 2006
Updated: Saturday, January 21, 2006 11:59 PM CST

PARK HILLS - The Mineral Area Lady Cardinals had their hands full when they hosted the No. 9 ranked Moberly Lady Greyhounds on Saturday. Moberly has averaged 25 points over their opponents this season, but Mineral Area kept up with the Lady Greyhounds throughout most of the contest. The Lady Cardinals threw away a few passes near the end of the game, and Moberly avoided a possible upset with a 59-51 win.

The Lady Greyhounds failed to score on their first six possessions, and Mineral Area took a 6-0 edge on baskets from Dionn Jackson and Erica Anderson, and a couple of free throws by Ramona Golphin. Neicole Whitiker later drained a three for the Lady Cardinals, but Moberly narrowed the deficit to two points on a lay-up and a free throw from Nikya Hughes. Mineral Area took a 14-8 advantage on a couple of free throws from Anderson and a bucket by Golphin and Jackson.

Amber Lewellen came through with a free throw and a three-point shot for the Lady Greyhounds, and Hughes added a jump shot to tie the game at 14 apiece. Fran Henderson gave Mineral Area the lead on a pair of field goals, and Natalie Rozenfeld added a free throw. Ashley Baker countered with a lay-up and a free throw before the end of the half. The two teams were tied 19-19.

Both teams exchanged a field goal before Nikki Mitchell and Henderson added a bucket to give the Lady Cardinals a four-point lead. The lead was quickly erased on a jump shot from Mesha Williams and Ashley Lovelady. Both squads were tied two more times before a jump shot from Ebonique Gibson and a few free throws from Baker gave Moberly a 42-36 lead. The two teams traded field goals four more times before Williams knocked down a couple of free throws.

A jump shot and a free throw from Mineral Area's Britany Sublett and two free throws by Anderson narrowed the Lady Greyhounds' lead to 51-49. However, a few mistakes from Mineral Area prevented any idea of a comeback and an upset. Lovelady sank eight free throws before the contest came to a close.

“Defensively we did a pretty good job,” commented MAC coach Lana LaBruyere. “They (Moberly) got a few offensive rebounds in the first half that hurt us a little bit. Overall, I think it was a pretty even game. We got in a little bit of foul trouble which hurt our rotation.”

The Lady Cardinals made 10 out of only 14 free-throw attempts. Moberly finished 21-33 from the charity stripe.

Williams finished with a game-high 14 points, and Baker and Lovelady both added 11. Lovelady sank all nine of her free-throw attempts. Sublett and Henderson led Mineral Area in scoring with eight each.

The Lady Cardinals (10-7 and 0-4 in Region XVI play) will host State Fair for another region game on Saturday.

Moberly - 19 40 - 59

Mineral Area - 19 32 - 51

SCORING:

Moberly - M Williams 14, A Baker 11, A Lovelady 11, M Hughes 9, A Lewellen 7, E Gibson 4, L Pittman 2.

Mineral Area - B Sublett 8, F Henderson 8, N Whitiker 7, D Jackson 6, M Rios 6, E Anderson 5, R Golphin 4, N Mitchell 4, W Washington 2, N Rozenfeld 1.

3-Pointers - A Lewellen, N Whitiker.