The Houston Lady Tigers are leaning on their experience as they continue their winning start to the season.
Houston improved to 5-1 and won its first South Central Association game of the season Monday night with a 49-33 victory at Ava.
The game was tied 9-all afer one quarter before coach Brent Kell said his players made their own adjustments to begin pulling away.
Houston outscored Ava 14-8 in the second quarter and by 11 in the second half.
“We’ve been behind early the past few games and responded,” Kell said. “I think experience has a lot to do with that. They’re able to figure it out and made adjustments.”
Senior Alexa Ichord had 16 points and 10 rebounds to pace the Lady Tigers. Kylee Elmore added 14 points and six assists.
The Lady Tigers’ start to the season is their best in recent history. They have more than a week off before playing next Thursday in the Rolla Tournament.
“I like the way we compete as a team,” Kell said.
Five of Houston’s six games have been on the road. The Lady Tigers are 4-1 away from Hiett Gymnasium.
“We’re figuring out a way to win on the road, and that’s not always easy, especially the long trips we’ve had,” Kell said.
On Friday, the Lady Tigers trailed 13-12 after the opening quarter before outscoring Norwood 39-15 the rest of the way en route to a 51-28 victory.
Elmore led Houston with 15 points and Ichord had 10. Megan Silveus added seven points.
Trailing by a point after the opening quarter, the Lady Tigers scored 10 unanswered points to begin pulling away. Elmore had three baskets during the quick spurt that ended with Kayla Herndon’s basket that made it 22-13.
Houston, which led by nine at the half, had a 17-0 third-quarter run to break the game open.
JUNIOR VARSITY: Shelby Cremer scored a team-best five points in the JV Lady Tigers’ 34-24 loss Monday at Ava.
Chloe Morning, Karrissa Zalucky and Sarah Kelley added four points apiece. It was the first loss of the season for Houston (3-1).
On Friday, the Lady Tigers played two unofficial quarters against Norwood. Houston lost 21-16.
Autumn Walker led the Lady Tigers with seven points.
Box scores
VARSITY
Monday’s game
| Houston | 9 | 14 | 15 | 11 | – | 49 |
| Ava | 9 | 8 | 9 | 6 | – | 33 |
HOUSTON (49) –– Kylee Elmore 14. Alexa Ichord 16. Sydney Cremer 2. Kenzie Scheets 7. Amber Sillyman 3. Kayla Herndon 4. Kaylea Preheim 1. Megan Silveus 2. FG 20. FT 8-16. F 13. (3-pointers: Scheets. Fouled out: none).
Friday’s game
| Norwood | 13 | 2 | 5 | 8 | – | 28 |
| Houston | 12 | 12 | 19 | 8 | – | 51 |
HOUSTON (51) –– Kylee Elmore 15. Alexa Ichord 10. Kenzie Scheets 4. Amber Sillyman 5. Kayla Herndon 6. Kaylea Preheim 4. Megan Silveus 7. FG 10. FT 9-18. F 13. (3-pointers: Elmore, Sillyman. Fouled out: none).
JUNIOR VARSITY
Monday’s game
| Houston | 6 | 6 | 4 | 8 | – | 24 |
| Ava | 8 | 10 | 6 | 10 | – | 34 |
HOUSTON (24) –– Shelby Cremer 5. Krista Scott 2. Autumn Walker 2. Chloe Morning 4. Makayla Koch 1. Lizzy Swindell 2. Karrissa Zalucky 4. Sarah Kelley 4. FG 9. FT 6-14. F 11. (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: none).
Friday’s game
| Norwood | 9 | 12 | – | 21 | ||
| Houston | 10 | 6 | – | 16 |
HOUSTON (16) –– Autumn Walker 7. Monica Hunter 2. Chloe Morning 2. Karrissa Zalucky 2. Sarah Kelley 3. FG 7. FT 2-6. F 9. (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: none).