Lady Cardinals pull out second-half win

VINCENNES, IN — The Mineral Area College Lady Cardinals kept their 22nd national ranking intact Saturday as they pulled out a second half win over the Malcolm X Lady Hawks. Trailing by one, 27-28, the Lady Cardinals changed their scoring strategy and with the help of excellent free throw shooting, they were able to pull out a 66-59 win In the Vincennes Classic.

Shooting only 32 percent from the floor in the first half due to a 3-11 performance from beyond the arc, the Lady Cardinals increased their rate to 52 percent, taking only four shots from the perimeter of which they made two.

Taking the lead, the Lady Cardinals were able to hold on as they made 11 of 14 free throws in the second half. Janelle Travis led Mineral Area in scoring with 18 points, going 4-4 at the line and 2-5 from the arc, and she also led in assists with seven.

Ashleigh Bow and Brittany Lawson scored 15 points each with both having a 3-4 night at the charity stripe. Bow also led the rebounders with nine boards, and Chelsea Roberts had eight.

Jaleesa Armstrong led the Lady Hawks scorers with 23 points, and Ariana Novak was next with 18.

The Lady Cardinals had great bench support with 21 of their points coming from non-starters with Bow leading the way with her 15 points, and Chelsea Pannier with five. The Lady Hawks received only six points from their bench.

Mineral Area (8-1) will suit up again on Wednesday when they travel to play rival Jefferson College for their next game.