WEBB CITY, Mo. — Trailing at the end of the first quarter, the Webb City girls basketball team turned things around in a hurry in the second period.
Sparked by its bench, Webb City rode a huge second quarter spurt to a convincing 63-35 win over Branson on Friday night in Central Ozark Conference action inside the Cardinal Dome.
The Cardinals finished the first half on a 22-1 surge.
“They came out in a triangle-and-two in the first quarter and I think it just took some time for our girls to adjust to what was open,” Webb City coach Lance Robbins said. “Defensively, we were able to do some things better in the second quarter.”
During the second-quarter surge, the Cardinals got a boost off the bench from freshman guard Malorie Stanley and junior forward Ripley Shanks.
“Malorie and Ripley came off the bench and did a great job for us in the second quarter,” Robbins said. “I’m proud of their efforts.”
Senior guard Jaydee Duda scored 24 points to lead the Cardinals (7-10, 2-2 COC). She converted 9-of-13 field goal attempts.
Stanley added 14 points, while Shanks contributed seven points and 10 rebounds.
Senior guard Sierra Kimbrough handed out six assists to go along with five boards and four points. Also for the Cardinals, Kate Brownfield added five points, while Josie Spikereit had four, Mia Robbins scored three and Kylie Jennings chipped in two points.
Webb City made 22-of-57 field goal attempts (39 percent). The Cardinals received 23 points off the bench.
“That was important,” Robbins said. “Teams try to key on Jaydee and Sierra, so we have to have other girls step up. Tonight it was Malorie and Ripley. But overall, it was a complete team effort tonight.”
Rachel Riveros and Maci Rogers scored 12 points apiece for Branson (3-16, 1-3 COC). The Pirates shot 28 percent (12-of-43) and turned the ball over 27 times.
Branson led 11-7 at the end of the first quarter, and the Pirates scored the first two points of the second frame to go up six.
But things suddenly changed.
With nine unanswered points to start the run, Webb City ended the first half on a game-changing 22-1 spurt.
Stanley scored 10 points during the surge, knocking down two 3-pointers along the way. Shanks, Duda and Kimbrough also contributed points during the burst.
By limiting Branson to just three points in the second quarter, Webb City held a 29-14 halftime advantage.
Duda scored Webb City’s first eight points of the third quarter to extend the Cardinals’ cushion to 37-17.
“Jaydee did a good job in the third quarter of creating turnovers and getting scoring opportunities throughout the second half,” Robbins said. “She finished the game really strong for us.”
Webb City took a comfortable 46-23 advantage into the final frame.
Duda made two layups and hit a trey, pushing Webb City’s lead to 55-30 with five minutes left. The Cardinals’ lead was never in doubt the rest of the way.
Webb City is at Carl Junction on Tuesday night.
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