The Allen Community College women just “couldn’t get over that hump” Saturday afternoon in a match against Labette Community College, according to head coach Katie Mahoney.
Despite holding close for the first half, the Red Devils never saw a lead in the game, ultimately losing to LCC 86-68.
“We just fell asleep too much in the first half,” Mahoney said, and they certainly paid for it in the second.
ACC was holding close midway through the first, with a 15-11 deficit until Labette’s Holly Ullery hit a pair of back-to-back treys. The shots extended the Cardinals’ lead to 10, 35-25, going into the half.
LCC kept bringing the offense to open the second half, with key points from Tiera Tate. The Red Devils wouldn’t roll over and die, however, as they put together a quick comeback.
O’ceonna Weston, Reagan McClellan and Nicole Salazar each had scores in the run, which cut ACC’s deficit from 17 points to just eight with 10 minutes remaining.
The Cardinals just had too much left in their tank. They capitalized on inside shooting from the paint, coupled with numerous trips to the free throw line, to bolster their lead once again before the clock wound down.
“I’m really proud of how they battled and stayed positive,” Mahoney said, particularly of her sophomore players. They were honored following the game for ACC’s sophomore night. “They all improved a lot.”
The Lady Devils shot a cool 35 percent from the field, and went 14 for 21 from the line. The Cardinals were a bit more productive from outside, they hit nearly 45 percent from the field.
Nicole Salazar led the team with 22 points, providing the majority of the energy from the offensive side, along with Weston’s 17 points and Kylie Molisee’s 14.
The Lady Red Devils fell to 0-11 in conference, 7-21 overall. They travel to Independence Wednesday.
Labette 35-51—86
Allen 25-43—68
Labette (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Nicholas 2-1-2-5, Odom 4/4-4-3-24, Ullery 1/4-0-0-14, Douglas 4-3-2-11, Ford 0-0-2-0, Hocker 1-0-3-2, McDaniel 1-0-1-2, Wellon 1-0-1-2, Russel 6-5-3-17, Tate 3-3-1-9, Kuney 1-0-0-2. TOTALS: 23/8-16-17-86.
ACC (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Salazar 2/3-9-5-22, Fisher 0/2-0-2-6, Molisee 7-0-2-14, Weston 7-3-4-17, McClellan 1/1-0-4-5, Cleaver 1-2-5-4. TOTALS: 18/6-14-22-68.
ACC women lose home finale to Labette
