Simpson clutch down the stretch
Southern Sports & Travel
The Simpson Lady Cougars overcame a sluggish first quarter to get a 41-33 road win at Columbia last night. Lauren Griffin led tenth ranked Simpson with 10 points as eight different Lady Cougars led a balanced attack in defeating ninth ranked Columbia.
Columbia got off to a quick start in building an early 10-2 lead behind the play of freshman Anna Wilks and senior Sissy Price.
Simpson countered with a critical 5-2 run to end the quarter as Abby Dunston converted in the paint and Kasey McWilliams drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key to narrow the deficit to 12-7.
(Above) Auguste Knight (#24) of Simpson shoots over Columbia's Clare Herring (#12)
Anna Wilks’ fast break basket to start the second quarter pushed the Columbia lead back to seven at 14-7 but Simpson’s defensive pressure started taking a toll on Columbia. Simpson held Columbia scoreless the remaining six minutes of the quarter and started warming on the offensive end as well.
After a Callie Martin free throw Simpson cut the margin to 14-10 on a Hallie Stubbs basket in the paint and then at the 3:57 mark Stubbs nailed a baseline jumper to pull Simpson to within two points at 14-12.
Simpson tied the game after Brittany Gardner fought for a loose ball and scored with just over one minute left in the half and the Lady Cougars took their first lead of the night as Hallie Stubbs scored off an offensive rebound with 39 seconds left to end the half on top 16-14.
Simpson maintained the lead throughout the early stages of the third quarter and took their biggest advantage at 21-16 on a Lacey Thames 3-pointer from the wing at the 4:41 mark but Columbia fought back.
Anna Wilks fired back with a 3-pointer to keep Columbia within striking distance and regained the lead at 24-23 on two Wilks free throws with 2:04 left in the third quarter.
(Above) Columbia freshman Anna Wilks (#5) drives in the first half
Columbia extended their lead to three points at 26-23 on a Dianna Hobgood jumper from 8 feet but Simpson countered with a Lauren Griffin basket from 18 feet and an Auguste Knight jumper in the paint to go back in front at 27-26 with 28 seconds remaining in the quarter. Columbia knotted the game at 27-27 on a Clare Herring free throw.
Columbia took the lead at 28-27 on a Sissy Price free throw one minute into the final quarter but that would be the last lead Columbia would enjoy on the night. Simpson produced a 10-3 run that was capped on two free throws from Kasey McWilliams at the 1:21 mark of the quarter and the Lady Cougars hit on 8/9 free throws down the stretch to take a big 41-33 road win back to Mendenhall.
“I thought we made some good adjustments during the game,” said Simpson head coach David Granville. “We showed a good ability to apply pressure and shoot free throws in the fourth quarter and it’s a win against a good team and a great coach.”
Simpson improves to 14-7 on the season and was led by Lauren Griffin’s 10 points, Kasey McWilliams added 7, Auguste Knight, Hallie Stubbs and Brittany Gardner each had 6 points, Lacey Thames 3, Abby Dunston 2 and Callie Martin 1.
“We get back into district play Friday at home against Wayne and our goal is to go undefeated in district and I think our girls are prepared,” said Granville.
Columbia falls to 13-7 and was led by Anna Wilks with 12 points, Sissy Price 10, Dianna Hobgood 6, Clare Herring 3 and Greta Carley 2.
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