BRYSON – It’s not often you see a shutout thrown in basketball.
Such was the case for Bryson at home Saturday vs. Saint Jo. The visiting Lady Panthers took an 18-14 lead into the final frame … and wouldn’t score again. Paced by a 14-0 run from the Cowgirls, Bryson wound up with a 28-18 victory.
Bryson is now 3-2 for the season. Cowgirl Coach Rusty Jones said doing a better job on defensive rotation helped spur the comeback.
“We just weren’t matching up with their rotation well with our defense,” Jones said. “So when we switched back we were able to manto-man we were able to play their corners much better and force some turnovers.”
Bryson needed nearly three minutes to start the 14-0 run, but Riley Valliant got the Blue within two with 5:13 remaining. Teammate Allie Orr tied the game on the next possession.
Valliant then picked up two free throws and a bucket to extend the lead to six. It would prove to be the second quarter where Saint Jo couldn’t find a basket. Saint Jo looked desperately to score but could not find the bucket in the first quarter as well. Baskets by Orr and Tracy Hauger in the final minute would secure the win.
For the most part, Bryson, which shot 11-32 from the field or 34 percent, was lucky to stay in the game in the first half. The Cowgirls received a late first quarter basket from Orr to tie the game at three after one.
Saint Jo used a pair of baskets and a three to lead by five late in the half with Orr’s basket and free throws cutting the halftime deficit to 10-9.
Victoria Goodman’s bucket gave the Cowgirls their first lead at 11-10. Saint Jo buried a pair of threes late in the third to take an 18-14 lead heading into the final frame.
Valliant had 14 points and Orr 10 to lead the Cowgirls.
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