Hoping to avoid foul trouble, Brent Kell didn’t press Willow Springs in the first half.
“That worked,” Kell said sarcastically of his team’s one-point advantage at the break.
Kell ditched the strategy in the second half, and the Lady Tigers unleashed a fullcourt press that wilted Willow Springs. They outscored the Lady Bears 21-5 in the third quarter and cruised to a 51-36 victory Tuesday night.
The victory gave Houston, which had lost five of its previous six games, some much-needed momentum going into Saturday’s district opener at Cabool High School. The Lady Tigers (9-14) face Mountain View-Liberty at 5:30 p.m.
“I told the girls, ‘If you’re ready to turn (the pressure) up, we’ll turn it up in the second half,'” Kell said. “We’ve been practicing hard on pressure defense without fouling. I thought we did a better job of that tonight.”
Holly Thomas, who came off the bench for disciplinary reasons, led Houston with 15 points. Junior Kendra Welch added 12.
With Houston ahead 20-19, Danielle Pounds hit a 3-pointer as part of a quick 6-0 run and Thomas scored three consecutive baskets to spark an 11-0 spurt. Welch’s steal and layup, followed by Sarah Pierce’s basket after a steal by Shelbi Moore, put the Lady Tigers ahead 37-22.
“It was a good team effort,” Kell said. “There were a couple times we had some breakaways with a teammate in front and we gave up the ball for an easy basket.”
It was the final home game for seniors Kate Harper and Stephanie Dukes. They were honored with their parents before the game.
On Thursday, Thomas scored 10 points as the lone player in double figures as Houston lost 52-30 at Salem.
The Lady Tigers, who trailed 9-1 after the first quarter, were outscored in every quarter.
Tuesday’s Game
Willow Springs 9 10 5 12 – 36
Houston 12 8 21 10 – 51
WILLOW SPRINGS – Mooney 1 0-0 3. Chapman 3 2-3 8. KRoberts 0 0-2 0. SRoberts 2 4-5 8. Williams 3 1-3 7. Shanks 1 1-2 4. Wake 1 1-2 3. Lind 0 1-3 1. Schowengerdt 0 2-4 2. Totals 11 12-22 36.
HOUSTON (9-14) – Moore 0 0-1 1. Pounds 3 2-3 10. Honig 1 1-3 3. Welch 2 7-8 12. Thomas 6 3-5 15. Harper 1 1-2 3. Pierce 1 2-2 4. Keeney 1 1-2 3. Totals 15 17-24 51.
3-pointers: Willow Springs 2 (Mooney, Shanks); Houston 3 (Pounds 2, Welch).
Thursday’s Game
Houston 1 6 12 11 – 30
Salem 9 12 14 17 – 52
HOUSTON (8-14) – Pounds 1 0-0 3. Welch 4 0-0 11. Thomas 4 2-6 10. Harper 0 1-2 1. Pierce 0 1-2 1. Keeney 2 0-1 4. Totals 11 4-11 30.
SALEM – Connell 2 1-2 5. NHoward 2 8-9 12. Kettner 3 1-3 8. Ruben 1 0-0 2. Brand 4 2-4 10. Jones 7 1-2 15. Totals 19 13-20 52.
3-pointers: Houston 4 (Welch 3, Pounds); Salem 1 (Kettner).