Lady Tigers fall to Rector

ARMOREL -- The Armorel Lady Tigers are still looking for their first win of the season after a 56-35 loss to the Rector Lady Cougars Monday night at home.

Armorel stayed close to the Lady Cougars for 2 1/2 periods but Rector pulled away midway through the third on its way to the victory.

With 6:56 left in the third period, Desiree Martinez knocked down a jumper to put the Tigers (0-7) ahead, 28-24. Rector held Armorel to just one point over the rest of the period and led by 20 midway through the fourth.

The Cougars applied full court pressure from the opening tip that appeared to wear down the undermanned Tigers. Rector forced 12 first period turnovers and built a 16-9 lead at the end of one. Armorel clawed its way back in the second period. Alexis Betts dropped 14 points in the half as the Lady Tigers tied the game at 24 by halftime.

The Rector defense tightened up in the third. Six-foot-2 center Allison Harmon, who was sidelined in the first half due to foul trouble, blocked three shots in the third and four overall in the second half. Rector forced six Lady Tiger turnovers during a 17-1 run to end the period. The Lady Cougars held Betts to just two points in the second half. The Lady Cougars had a balanced attack on offense, connecting from the three-point line six times from six different players.

For the game, Betts led all scorers with 16, and teammate Madison Carr added eight.

Kendal Gunn scored 15 points to lead the Lady Cougars, and Jessica Scott added 10.

JUNIOR HIGH

Rector 39, Armorel 27

The Rector Junior Lady Cougars defeated the Armorel Junior Lady Tigers, 39-27 Monday night.

Armorel led 8-6 after one period, trailed 18-14 at halftime and 25-22 heading into the fourth period.

Tia Sellers led the Lady Tigers with eight points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Abigail McCauley added seven points and Shelbie Collard scored six points and pulled down five boards.

The Armorel Lady Tigers next game is against 1A-3 East rival, Bay, on Thursday at Armorel. Action begins with the 7th grade game at 5 p.m.