By Caleb Adams

Leader Correspondent

BRIDGE CITY — The Little-Cypress Mauriceville Lady Bears just edged out the Bridge City Lady Cards 70-65 in overtime to go to a perfect 3-0 in District 22-4A play Friday night in a very close fought game at Cardinal Gym.

This game had all the makings of a tight district game and the best would have to find a way to win late in overtime.

The Lady Bears began the game with a two-minute 9-1 run to jump on the lead early. Brielle Butler was their lead reason scoring seven of the nine points.

The Lady Cards (0-3 in district) were able to claw back most of the lead as they found their shot late in the first quarter. Kassidy Wilbur led the Lady Cards with seven points in the quarter as LC-M was up 17-13 heading into the second quarter.

Bridge City took its first lead of the night off of point guard Maysen Tyler’s nifty footwork, as she put up five quick points, early in the second quarter.

The Lady Cards were able to grow up to a seven-point lead, but not for long. The Lady Bears brought it back to a lead by the end of the third quarter. Butler continued to find shots, hitting two key threes in the second quarter for the Lady Bears, helping LC-M to a 31-30 halftime lead.

The Lady Bears held their lead and grew it early in the third quarter, scoring 11 points early. Chelsea Perry sparked the Lady Bears in the quarter and finished with 10 points on the night.

The Lady Bears ended the third quarter leading by eight with a score of 48-40, in a back and forth affair. Butler continues to lead the team with 14 points through three quarters. Wilbur with 13 points, led the Lady Cards, who needed some more from their offense if they wanted a shot to claw back in the fourth.

The Lady Cards were able to fight back and brought this game to an epic overtime finish off the back of a Rylee Oceguera three-ball late to tie the game.

Halfway through the overtime period, the score was still tight with LC-M only two points up.

Bridge City took the lead late off of Madison Fischer’s free throws with just 1:30 left on the clock. The crowd was living off every play and whistle that blew in the final minutes.

The Lady Bears found the lead late with just 15 seconds on the clock through free throws from Zaria Johnson and Butler to gain and extend the lead to three points.

The Lady Bears were able to hang on to win a thriller in Bridge City on Friday, but there is a lot of district play left. They will be hoping to use this momentum throughout the coming season. On the other foot, Bridge City will need to get past the tough lose and look forward to the rest of district play.

The Lady Bears will host Orangefield Tuesday while Bridge City visits West Orange-Stark.