Balanced Lady Bears throttle Lumberton
Published 9:53 pm Tuesday, January 29, 2019
- Van Wade/Orange Leader LC-M’s Zaria Johnson (23) dribbles past Lumberton’s Jordan Ward (10) during the first half Tuesday night at the Bear Cave.
LITTLE CYPRESS — Inching closer in trying to clinch the third-place playoff berth out of District 22-4A, the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Lady Bears got off to a great start and went on to defeat the Lumberton Lady Raiders 70-52 at the Hargrove Bear Cave Tuesday night.
The Lady Bears (20-10, 6-4) raced out to a 21-9 edge in the first quarter against the Lady Raiders (4-7 in district), who didn’t heat up until the second half.
The Lady Bears extended their lead to 38-19 by intermission as guards Chelsea Perry and Brielle Butler combined for 26 points in the half.
LC-M received tremendous efforts from their entire starting five that also includes Karly Rogers, Zaria Johnson and Britney Wyatt to thwart the Lady Raiders throughout the night.
LC-M extended its lead to 51-29 despite committing 10 turnovers in the third quarter and then the Lady Bears survived a late three-point shooting barrage by the Lady Raiders in the fourth quarter.
The Lady Bears, behind Rogers and Wyatt, controlled the boards, finishing with a 45-30 rebounding edge while Johnson played tenacious defense.
Perry led the balanced Lady Bears as she finished with 18 points and snagged seven boards.
Rogers had a nice double-double as she powered her way to 16 points and 15 rebounds. Butler also filtered in 16 points to go along with five rebounds.
Johnson collected 12 points and had five boards while Wyatt chimed in with eight points and 12 rebounds.
Guard Audrey Postula led the Lady Raider attack with 14 points and fellow guard Ivy Le finished with 12. The two combined for 19 of Lumberton’s 23 points in the final period.
Jordan Ward had 11 points for the Lady Raiders while Tatum Dean yanked down nine rebounds.
The Lady Bears finished with 24 turnovers while the Lady Raiders had 18.
LC-M’s cushion throughout the game could have been a lot larger but they struggled from the free-throw line, going just 19-of-41 while the Lady Raiders finished 10-of-18.
The Lady Bears can clinch the third-place playoff berth Friday when they visit Orange County rival Bridge City. The Lady Cardinals (21-12, 5-5) are just a game back in fourth-place, a game and a half ahead of Lumberton. The Lady Cardinals fell to first-place and state-ranked Hardin-Jefferson 67-29 Tuesday.
