MOBERLY, Mo. – Sophomore forward Mariah Dallas punished the opposing Moberly defense while playing 40 important minutes for Mineral Area on Saturday.
Dallas matched a career-high 37 points, and was a perfect 13-of-13 from the free-throw line to help the visiting Cardinals cap the regular season with a 79-74 victory.
Mineral Area (16-12, 4-8) improved to the No. 3 seed for the Region 16 tournament, and commenced a 10-day hiatus before facing Three Rivers next Tuesday in the semifinal round.
Lamiya Gooden posted her second double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and the Cardinals committed only 11 turnovers.
Moberly (13-17, 2-10) moved in front 22-17 through one quarter of action, and received a team-high 24 points from Abygail Thivierge 24 plus 16 more from Nila Wills.
The margin increased 33-24 before the Cardinals responded behind Dallas, who repeatedly attacked to draw contact from the paint and high post.
She tied the contest on an isolated spin move, and Presley Holweg began a 6-of-6 effort at the stripe to give the Cardinals a 41-39 halftime lead.
Dallas added seven rebounds, three assists and three steals, and her baseline jumper beat the third-quarter buzzer as Mineral Area separated for a 55-49 edge.
Kinley Norris knocked down three 3-pointers to equal Holweg with nine points. Lydia Kemnitzer also splashed two triples in the win.
Daija Coheh finished with 12 points, and Alexie Nicholas tossed in nine for Moberly.
MAC forward Casey Teague played sparingly after picking up two common fouls plus a technical over the first 2:29 of the game.
