Lady Scots breeze to 65-33 win over Waynesburg
CONNELLSVILLE TWP. — The Southmoreland girls basketball team put a 30-point pre-Christmas loss to Brentwood behind them with a 65-33 win over Waynesburg Central in the nightcap of Monday’s schedule of the Geibel Catholic Holiday Tournament.
The Lady Scotties will try to repeat as tournament champions when they play Propel Andrew Street in tonight’s championship game at 6:30 p.m.
Southmoreland (2-2, 5-4) surged to a 33-16 halftime lead fueled by 21 of Olivia Porter’s game-high 27 points.
“We came out with energy and got more movement,” said Southmoreland coach Brian Pritts. “I’m happy with the effort and enthusiasm for all four quarters. It was a good way to offset the last game.
“Our leaders did a good job and we got everyone in (the game) to see the floor. I’m hoping we’ll be strong again for two games in a row.”
The Lady Scotties broke from a 5-5 tie to lead 15-9 after one quarter on the strength of a 10-4 run on eight points from Porter, and baskets by Briana Bunner and Addy Nicholson. Waynesburg Central (2-2, 3-5) managed four points on a three-point play and single free throw, all by Claire Garber.
Julea Claycomb scored for Southmoreland to start the second quarter and Porter followed with six points for a 23-9 lead.
After Morgan McDowell sank a free throw for Waynesburg, Carissa Cyphert sank a trey for the Lady Scotties and Porter hit a jump shot for a 28-10 lead, and the Lady Scots held a 33-16 lead at the half.
A 6-1 run started the third quarter on two baskets by Porter and another score by Cyphert to set the score at 39-17, and the lead was never less than 19 the rest of the way.
After the Lady Raiders’ Taylor Staley opened fourth quarter scoring, the Lady Scotties scored the next eight points on four by Cyphert, and one each from Porter and Claycomb to remove any remaining doubt.
After Porter’s 27 points, Cyphert added 12 and Claycomb scored 11. Celine Monica led Waynesburg Central with 12 points.
“I give Southmoreland credit,” said Waynesburg coach John Garber. “They definitely had a good game plan with a box-and-one on Kirsten Garber, and a triangle-and-two on Kirsten and Monica.”
Garber said, “We need to have a short turnaround in order to come out tomorrow night to play Geibel.”