Lady Cards close out win from perimeter

PARK HILLS – Late success from deep helped the Mineral Area women’s basketball team extend its win streak to five games with a 52-43 victory over Lincoln Trail on Wednesday.

The fourth quarter kicked off with each team going basket for basket until freshman Alexis McDowell hit a long-range shot to give the Lady Statesman a 33-32 advantage. She finished with 14 points in the game.

Freshman Dominika Skrocka sparked an offensive surge for the Lady Cardinals by answering with a 3-point shot on the following possession.

Mineral Area (6-3) began to widen the lead in the final four minutes with 8-0 run behind the shooting effort of sophomore guard Hayley Winter.

The reigning Region 16 Player of the Week was held scoreless until the final quarter, but pushed the lead to double digits on her second made 3-pointer with less than a minute remaining.

Olivia White scored a team-high 13 points and pulled in 12 rebounds for the Lady Cardinals, who made sure to keep the ball away from Lincoln Trail in the closing minutes.

White stepped in after Mineral Area sophomore Hannah Taulien suffered an apparent leg injury and was helped off the court with four minutes remaining in the second quarter.

The beginning of the game belonged to Jamesha Pritchard and McDowell, who each had five points in the first quarter to put the Lady Statesman ahead 11-9. Pritchard finished with nine points.

Excellent rebounding from Makenzy Smith and White brought Mineral Area right back into the game in the second quarter.

The Lady Cardinals regained the lead 13-11 after Jolee Carswell drained two consecutive mid-range jumpers.

Both defenses began to tighten up approaching halftime, forcing opponents to often settle for jump shots.

The Lady Cardinals maintain a 23-18 edge at the break, and attacked through White in the post to start the third quarter.

Lincoln Trail was quick to call a timeout and switch to full-court pressure before the deficit became too large.

Missed jump shots by the Lady Cardinals and outstanding rebounding allowed Lincoln Trail to hang around. Freshman Kianna Wininger topped her team with 10 rebounds, recording six in the third quarter.

Mineral Area will play Arkansas State Mid-south as part of the Crowder Classic on Friday in Neosho, Mo.

Mineral Area freshman Khiandra Perry (1) takes the ball into a crowded lane to shoot against Lincoln Trail during the second quarter on Wednesday.

Mineral Area sophomore guard Hayley Winter (5) passes the ball from under the basket in third quarter action against Lincoln Trail on Wednesday.