Strong second half gives Lady Indians big semifinal win over Baton Rouge
Lee Adams/LetsGoICC.com
CLINTON, MS - The Itawamba Community College women's basketball squad led for most of their NJCAA Region 23 Semifinal contest against Baton Rouge Community College (LA), but a strong third quarter powered them into the title game with a 71-45 win Friday.
Both teams struggled to find their shot early in the semifinal showdown, but the Lady Indians (22-6) held a nine point advantage, 27-18 at halftime.
The third quarter was polar opposite of the first two frames as the Lady Indians scored 17 unanswered points to extend their lead to as much as 35 points, while their defense held the Lady Bears (15-14) scoreless for just under eight minutes.
When the dust settled on the third quarter, the Lady Indians held a 30 point lead, 55-25.
The Lady Bears found their offense in the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late as the Lady Indians cruised to the 71-45 win to punch their ticket to the championship game.
Erika Toney (Horn Lake) and Grace Elliott (New Site) picked up double-doubles as Toney scored a team-high 12 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Elliott chipped in 10 points and 10 boards. Marlee Hatcher (Pontotoc) added 11 points in the semifinal win and Ieysha Mays (Mound Bayou) picked up 10 points.
Denote Young paced the Lady Bears with 14 points.
The Lady Indians will defend their 2015 NJCAA Region 23 Championship Saturday as they take on Copiah-Lincoln Community College in this year's title bout Saturday in Clinton at 6:00 pm.
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