CARTHAGE GIRLS 57, LEBANON 56
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Carthage’s girls knocked off third-seeded and previously undefeated Lebanon 57-56 in the quarterfinals of the Pink & White Classic on Tuesday at Drury University.
The 11th-seeded Tigers (5-4) advanced to the Pink Bracket’s semifinals, where they’ll take on second-seeded Republic at 4 on Wednesday.
“Huge win for the program today,” Carthage coach Scott Moore said. “The girls played so hard against an undefeated Lebanon team. We controlled the pace of the game from the tip to the final buzzer. I’m so proud of how hard these girls are playing right now. They are so fun to coach and the fans are really enjoying our brand of basketball.”
Junior guard Kianna Yates led Carthage with 22 points.
“Kianna Yates is a constant catalyst for our team and she’s playing amazing basketball right now,” Moore said. “When she’s in control, the rest of the girls feed off of her energy and we get to another level.”
Also for the Tigers, Maggie Boyd scored 15 points, while Lauren Choate contributed eight points and Daniela Marquez had six.
“Freshman Maggie Boyd had a great game today,” Moore said. “She plays so hard on both ends of the floor and in positions 1-4 for us. Her activity and position flexibility allows us to play big or small whenever we want.
“Fellow freshman Lauren Choate raised her game today and hit a couple of crucial threes for us. She was slowed by an early-season injury and is just now getting up to full varsity speed. She will continue to improve with every minute she plays.
“Junior Daniela Marquez is providing great energy for us. She’s getting a ton of rebounds, loose balls and steals. Not always showing up under her name in the scorebook, but definitely helps us win these competitive games.”
Carthage trailed 18-9 at the end of the first quarter. The Tigers outscored the Yellowjackets 20-16 in the second period, and trailed 34-29 at the break.
The third quarter was even, 14-14, and Lebanon was clinging to a 48-43 lead entering the final period.
Carthage outscored Lebanon 14-8 in the fourth quarter.
Yates made a go-ahead free throw with four seconds left. The second attempt was off the mark, but the Tigers’ point guard secured the offensive rebound and time expired.
Lebanon fell to 8-1. Raegan McCowan paced the Yellowjackets with 25 points.
CARTHAGE BOYS 60, LINCOLN PREP 37
ROLLA, Mo. — Second-seeded Carthage built a 16-point lead by halftime and never relinquished the advantage in the second half to earn a 60-37 win over seventh-seeded Lincoln Prep at the 35th Rolla US Bank Holiday Invitational.
The Tigers were up 14-6 at the end of the first quarter and then outscored Lincoln Prep 15-7 in the second period to take a 29-13 lead into the break.
Carthage led 43-25 by the end of the third quarter.
Max Templeman scored 19 points and hit two 3-pointers to lead Carthage, while Clay Kinder added 13 points. Joel Pugh and Justin Ray contributed nine points apiece for Nathan Morris’ Tigers.
Carthage, now 7-1, will meet Warrensburg at 4 on Wednesday in the semifinals.
