Lady Pirates defeat Bryson, 46-26

BRYSON – Perrin Coach Eddie Fortenberry, whose Lady Pirates had won just one game before Friday’s district matchup here, was just hoping to see his squad put together a complete game.

He saw quite a bit more.

With Bryson out two starters due to injuries suffered the game before in Throckmorton, Perrin took control early leading 18-2 after one and coasted to a 46-26 win at Cowboy Gym.

Fortenberry said that his squad played very smart offensively and was patient, particularly in the early going when Perrin took control for good.

Aaliyah Brown buried a couple of baskets for a 4-0 lead two minutes into the contest.Bryson’s offensive leader Riley Valliant was slapped with two early fouls limiting her effectiveness on the defense side too.

Brown and Karson Bland each converted from outside as the lead got into double figures Tatum Collier added a couple baskets inside and added a pair of free throwsa s Perrin led 18-0 in the latter stages. Allie Orr helped Bryson avoid the shutout with a bucket in the final 80 seconds, but the Lady Pirates still led 18-2 after one.

After a 63-percent shooting first frame, Perrin continued the inside-outside balance with Bland and Savannah Burkett converting from outside with Brown and Nayeli Lopez getting inside for buckets. Bryson, which was 1-7 shooting in the first quarter was 0-5 in the second but managed to get free throws from Victoria Goodman, Trinadee Imotichey and Orr for their points but the visitors stilled 29-7 at the half.

Bryson doubled their offense of the first half with a seven-point third. Orr, Valliant, and Zoe Autry each found the scorebook as the visitors continued to get colder shooting with Brown, Burkett and Natasha Frissell scoring for Perrin and able to extend the lead to 38-14 despite 3-11 shooting.

While Bryson seemed unable to buy a basket, Valliant had five free throws in the fourth quarter while Goodman had two buckets and a free throw in its first true offensive push of the game. Still, it wasn’t enough.

Brown had 18 and Collier 10 points for the victors. Orr had 10 points for Bryson and Valliant eight.