The Houston Lady Tigers overcame a slow start for a comeback conference win.
HHS rallied from an early double-digit deficit to beat Salem 47-38 Thursday night inside Hiett Gymnasium.
The Lady Tigers only managed two first-quarter points and were behind 12-2 after the opening possession of the second. The deficit was still eight points late in the third quarter before HHS –– with its fullcourt pressure defense and as shots began to fall –– came back.
Houston (9-13, 3-2 South Central Association) ended the game with a 20-7 run as it won for the sixth time in nine games.
“The defensive effort was good all night,” HHS coach Jim Moore said. “Whenever things were tough offensively, our defense was keeping us close.”
Senior forward Kaitlyn Root led the Lady Tigers with 23 points. Chloe Hunninghake hit three 3-pointers en route to 10 points and Ally Morgan added nine.
Houston was 15-for-19 at the free-throw line with Morgan going 9-for-10.
The following night the Lady Tigers again rallied from a first-half deficit for a conference win. This time it was a 51-47 victory against Ava.
On Monday, HHS lost to state-ranked Hartville 63-44 for Senior Night.
Against Salem, the Lady Tigers’ comeback began when Hunninghake connected from downtown late in the third quarter to spark a quick 10-0 run. Kelly Hubbs pulled HHS even at 31-all with a bucket with 10 seconds left in the third and Morgan put the Lady Tigers in front with a pair of free throws just 37 seconds into the fourth.
Root scored seven straight points –– sandwiched around a Salem basket –– to cap the run as Houston led 40-33.
It was the fourth consecutive game with more than 20 points for Root, who three days earlier scored a career-best 34 against Willow Springs.
“She’s a matchup nightmare for other teams,” Moore said. “She’s taken her game to another level and starting to understand just how good she is.”
Against Ava, Root and Hunninghake scored 19 points apiece. It was the team’s seventh win in 10 games.
Root scored a team-best 22 points and Morgan had 10 in the loss to Hartville. It was the final home game for Root, Hunninghake, Carly Crawford and Sevanna Rowland.
JUNIOR VARSITY: Houston freshman Jaden Stell hit four 3-pointers and scored 14 points in the JV Lady Tigers’ 35-27 loss last Thursday to Salem.
Houston led 12-4 after the opening quarter and by six at the half.
On Monday, Madison Curtis scored four points in the JV Lady Tigers’ 24-15 loss to Hartville. The game was only two quarters.