CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Carl Junction took a five-point lead into halftime thanks in large part to the play of senior forward Kylie Scott and held McDonald County at bay the second half for a 43-34 win on Tuesday.
Scott, who is signed to play with Oral Roberts, scored nine of her game-high 19 points in the first half, including all seven of the Bulldogs’ points in the second quarter.
Carl Junction used a pair of field goals from freshman Maddy Huffman as well as a bucket from sophomore Jadyn Howard and three free throws from Scott in the opening stanza to lead 9-5 heading into the second quarter.
Scott’s seven points, which included a 3-pointer, matched McDonald County’s seven points that came on field goals from freshman Dakota O’Brien and senior Carlee Cooper and two free throws from sophomore Carlie Martin to give the Bulldogs a 16-11 cushion at the intermission.
Carl Junction took control of the contest in the third period after outscoring the Mustangs 18-7, with Scott (six points) and Huffman (four points) leading the way out of the half.
Howard, junior DeShaye Buerge and junior Dezi Williams all had field goals in the quarter for CJ.
Martin, who had a 3-pointer in the third quarter, tried to rally McDonald County with nine fourth-quarter points that included another 3-ball, but it wasn’t enough to get the Mustangs back in contention by the final horn.
Scott tallied eight free throws while leading Carl Junction in scoring. Williams, who had six points in the fourth quarter, added 10 points to give the Bulldogs two players in double figures. Huffman was right behind with eight.
Martin led the way for the Mustangs with 14 points, 12 coming in the second half. O’Brien finished with eight points in the loss, while Cooper closed with four.
Carl Junction (5-4) travels to Strafford on Jan. 9.
McDonald County (7-3) hosts Lafayette on Thursday.
