Leading 35-22 at halftime and up by 18 points midway through the third quarter, the Houston High School girls basketball team appeared to be on the way to victory last Friday night at Bradleyville in Taney County.
But the host Lady Eagles turned the tables on the visiting Lady Tigers and pulled out a 68-65 win.
Houston had four players score in double figures in the contest. Sophomore Hannah Dzurick led the way with 15 points (including 9 in the first quarter), while junior forward Riley Scheets had a season-high 13 (including 11 in the fourth quarter) and freshmen Karlee Curtis and Katie Chipps added 10 apiece.
Tay Sims led Bradleyville in scoring with 26 points.
Foul trouble and late turnovers hurt the Lady Tigers, and they went only 15-for-31 from the free throw line.
“We played really well for two-and-a-half quarters,” said HHS head coach Jim Moore, “but didn’t get critical stops when we needed them late.”
Freshman Olivia Crites scored a season-high 7 points for Houston.
“It was a great learning experience for our youth,” Moore said. “We continue to improve. It’s going to take a little time to mature but we’re playing hard and gaining valuable experience with every opportunity we have to take the floor.”
The Lady Tigers (1-2) hit the road again this Friday (Dec. 20) to take on Norwood.