The Houston Lady Tigers overcame foul trouble and an injury to its top player to advance to the championship game of the Mansfield Invitational.
Alyssa Hayes had 14 points and 11 rebounds off the bench to pace Houston’s 51-46 victory Thursday night against Mansfield.
HHS (13-4) advances to play top-seeded Norwood at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the title game.
The Lady Tigers, who defeated Mountain Grove in the opening round, managed a 26-19 halftime lead despite adversity. Three starters – Kaitlyn Root, Abby Casper and Shelby Cremer – were in foul trouble early in the first quarter and sat most of the first half. Senior Sarah Kelley also became a spectator after injuring her knee during a collision with another player.
Mansfield closed the gap to four points entering the fourth quarter and managed to take a brief lead. But Houston pulled away down the stretch to advance.
Casper scored nine of her 13 points in the first quarter. Kelley had nine points and nine rebounds.
In Tuesday’s opening round, Jaydin Ramsey scored 12 points to lead three players in double figures as Houston cruised past Mountain Grove 57-24.
Kelley, who had 11 rebounds, and Hayes scored 10 points apiece. Casper had nine of the team’s 22 steals and Cremer dished out eight assists.
BOX SCORES
Thursday’s game
Mansfield 10 9 13 14 – 46
Houston 15 11 10 15 – 51
HOUSTON (51) – Kaitlyn Root 6. Shelby Cremer 5. Abby Casper 13. Sarah Kelley 9. Jaydin Ramsey 4. Alyssa Hayes 14. FG 17. FT 17-27. F 17. (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: none).
Tuesday’s game
Houston 57, Mountain Grove 24
HOUSTON (57) – Kaitlyn Root 7. Shelby Cremer 7. Abby Casper 6. Makayla Koch 5. Sarah Kelley 10. Jaydin Ramsey 12. Alyssa Hayes 10. FG 23. FT 11-21. (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: none).