PIERCE CITY, Mo. — A strong second quarter propelled the College Heights Christian girls basketball team to a 64-49 victory over Pierce City on Monday night.
Pierce City led 18-14 at the end of the first quarter, but College Heights outscored the hosts 20-5 in the second period to take an 11-point halftime advantage.
“We had a great second quarter on both ends of the court,” CHC coach John Blankenship said.
Pierce City trimmed CHC’s lead to seven in the third quarter, but the Cougars withstood the run and pulled away further en route to victory.
“My kids responded very well coming out of a timeout and we never looked back,” Blankenship said of withstanding Pierce City’s surge. “I felt like our defensive pressure in the first half paid off for us in the second half as fatigue became a factor. We also did a much better job with our ball control, cutting our turnovers in half from our season average. That gave us a lot of extra possessions, which is evident in our scoring tonight.”
Libby Fanning recorded her seventh double-double of the season, as the junior forward scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds despite missing a large part of the second quarter due to foul trouble. Fanning also had three steals.
Also for CHC, Maddy Colin compiled eight points, eight rebounds, five assists, four steals and two blocks, while Jesalin Bever contributed 13 points and three steals.
“She played a great all-around game on both ends of the floor,” Blankenship said of Bever.
Kinley Marsh recorded eight points and four rebounds, while Allie Stout had six points, three rebounds and two assists.
Also for CHC, Karly Dorris contributed three points and two rebounds and Ava Lett had two points, four boards and three assists.
College Heights will host Bronaugh on Jan. 2.
