HOT SPRINGS — Malvern’s defense and rebounding picked up where it left off before the team went on Christmas break, even if its offense struggled.
The Lady Leopards forced 28 turnovers and held a 39-28 rebounding advantage in a 49-24 victory over Mount St. Mary in a Spa City Shootout first-round game Friday at Summit Arena.
Malvern (12-1) advances to a semifinal game at 4 p.m. today against Hot Springs, a 46-34 first-round winner over Bryant.
Raven Baker scored seven of her game-high 19 points as the Lady Leopards opened an 11-0 lead to start the game against the Belles, who committed nine first-quarter turnovers.
Malvern led 17-5 on Tiffany Murdock’s close-range bank shot early in the second quarter.
Malvern’s margin might have been more if not for 6-for-17 first-quarter shooting, followed by a 3-for-12 shooting in a second quarter that included five turnovers.
“It was a really sloppy first half,” Malvern Coach Jess Martin said of the Lady Leopards, who led 21-14 at the half. “We kind of expected that with the layoff.”
Mount St. Mary rallied in the second quarter with Kaitlyn Stuff’s three free throws and Mallory Kleine’s five consecutive points to make it 21-11, then Ellie Bigler made a steal near midcourt in the half’s closing seconds before banking in a 30-plus-footer at the buzzer.
But Malvern outscored Mount St. Mary 9-2 after halftime, with Baker hitting a one-handed runner and driving layup and Akaska Westbrook converting a three point play off a short jumper. Baker’s layup off a steal and Shakara Penix’s two free throws after another Baker steal pushed the lead to 34-17 before Mount St. Mary’s Halley Burnett scored the third quarter’s last two points.
Westbrook, who scored 12 points, led Malvern with 8 rebounds. Baker and Zoe Ollison each had 7 and Olivia Huell 6. Gracie Sloan had 10 for Mount St. Mary.
HOT SPRINGS 46, BRYANT 34
Hot Springs’ offense struggled until late into the third quarter, but its defense and rebounding never let up.
The Lady Trojans out rebounded the Lady Hornets 22-7 on the offensive end to overcome 28-percent shooting from the field, while limiting Bryant to 13 of 40 shooting from the field.
Hot Springs (8-1) missed its first 10 shots of the second half before Jasmine Lenox hit a three-pointer, ending a field goal drought of five-plus minutes. The Lady Trojans endured three stretches of four-plus minutes without field goals.
Ashley Clayborn led the Lady Trojans with 13 points. Simone White added 10 for the Lady Trojans, making 3 of 5 three-pointers.
Senior Courtney Davidson led Bryant with 13 points and 19 rebounds, despite suffering a leg injury with 2:57 to play in the first half.
CAC 47, HOT SPRINGS LAKESIDE 43
Sophomore Sydnie Jones recorded a game-high 21 points and 14 rebounds, leading the Lady Mustangs to a victory over Hot Springs Lakeside.
CAC, with Jones leading the way, out rebounded Lakeside 36-24, something the Lady Rams (4-6) could not overcome. CAC (10-3) out rebounded the Lady Rams 20-11 in the second half, keeping Lakeside at bay.
Jones got 12 points and 8 rebounds in the second half, the Lady Mustangs building an 11-point lead twice over the final 16 minutes.
Charlene Ellis led the Lady Rams with 18 points, scoring 11 in the second half.
Paige Plumley played a large part in Lakeside’s early effort, scoring 10 first half points. Plumley finished with 12.
Falan Miller scored 10 for the Lady Mustangs. Sophomore point guard Sarah Butler had 7 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 blocked shots.
LAKE HAMILTON 56, CLARKSVILLE 40
Junior post Kori Bullard recorded a game-high 24 points and 14 rebounds, leading the Lady Wolves to a victory over Clarksville.
Bullard scored Lake Hamilton’s first 8 points and final 4, scoring at least 4 in every quarter. She also helped the Lady Wolves (8-2) to a 36-29 rebounding advantage, with seven in each half.
Karli Herron aided Bullard with nine points and three steals.
Savannah Chenault led Clarksville with 12 points. Freshman Lauren Krissman had 11 points and Ciara Graham 9.
Sports, Pages 24 on 12/29/2012