MOSS BLUFF — Lacassine pulled away in the second half to come away with a 49-41 win over Sulphur at the Sam Houston tournament.
The Cardinals (10-8) closed the third quarter with a 12-2 run to take the lead for good at 39-33. Sulphur (6-9) cut the deficit to two points on baskets by Gracie Higginbotham and Reese Martin to start the fourth quarter, but Lacassine extended the margin back to eight points with a basket and free throw by Makeela Freeman, a 3-pointer by Breanna Fontenot and fast break basket by Sydnie Cooley.
Cooley scored a gamehigh 21 points, including five during the pivotal third quarter spurt. Freeman started the run with a basket on a cut, followed by an Anna Lindeman 3-pointer. Cooley followed with a 3-pointer of her own. Lindeman scored another basket, and Cooley scored on a pair of free throws to end the quarter.
“We started to do a better job of attacking their defense, getting into gaps to help free up other people,” Cardinals head coach Jeremy Hollier said.
“We also did a better job of rebounding and getting out into transition. We had some good looks and had girls taking shots with confidence.”
Sulphur started the third quarter with a 6-2 surge to take a 31-27 lead. Emma Thomson scored a pair of baskets in the spurt. She and Martin each finished with 10 points.
Hollier said Cooley is making an impact in every facet of the game.
“A month ago we talked with her about helping us more with rebounding, she was already scoring, setting people up and playing defense,” he said.
St .Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
Florien . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
The Saints (11-1) opened the game by scoring 22 straight points and cruised to a win over the Black Cats (21-2), who entered the game on a 21-game winning streak.
St. Louis feasted off turnovers caused by its pressure defense. Paris Guillory made four steals in the first quarter to fuel the game-opening run.
Myca Trail scored 12 points in the quarter.
Trail made steals on the first three Florien possessions of the third quarter as the Saints scored the first eight points of the second half.
Trail and Paris Guillory each finished with 16 points. Raven Guillory added 10 for the Saints.
