LA CYGNE Junior Lauryn Holloway erupted for 20 points as the Iola Fillies escaped Prairie View 51-46 on Thursday night.
Through the first five games of the season, Holloway had mustered only 21 points, but finally was able to find her rhythm against the Buffalos.
Ive been waiting for it, Holloway said. I have struggles with getting the ball some, but my teammates really gave me the ball tonight. I was able to get open, and our team just worked together which helped me a lot.
The Fillies dictated the flow of the game early on, earning a 7-5 lead after the first quarter. Iola continued to flow cohesively in the second.
Kelsey Morrison got the Fillies on the board in the second with an easy deuce. A forced change of possession from Elysia Kunkler led to 3-pointer from Hannah Gardner. After an and-one finish from Morrison, the Fillies led 18-6. But the Buffalos battled back. Prairie View came within two before the end of the period, but a sweeping right-handed hook of the glass from Holloway sent Iola into the locker room ahead 21-17.
I have done that shot since last year, and really have been working on it a lot, Holloway said. I have been trying to figure it out. Im just trying new things.
Iola and Prairie View traded baskets in the third, and the Fillies were able to hold a 29-24 lead heading into the fourth. Too many Filly fouls led to Prairie View entering the bonus early in the fourth. The Buffalos capitalized, with several trips to the charity strike to take a 33-32 lead with 5:15 remaining. To make matters worse, the Fillies would be without Becca Sprague for the rest of the game after she collected her fifth foul.
I told the girls to quit reaching, head coach Becky Carlson said. The reach around is stuff we cant have in any game. They dont realize that not only is it a foul on you, but you send them to the line and they were good free-throw shooters.
Trailing 40-36 late in the fourth, Kunkler drained a 3-pointer to bring the Fillies within one, but a turnover from Josie Plumlee led to two more Buffalo free throws and extended the lead back to three. Seconds later, Plumlee turned into the hero with a 3-point bomb that kissed the glass on its way in to tie the game at 42-42 and force overtime.
Holloway provided a three-point cushion in OT with two consecutive jumpers to stretch Iolas lead to 47-44. The Buffalos couldnt keep up offensively in OT, and Kunkler iced the game with two free throws in the final seconds to give Iola the 51-46 win.
We had a great effort, Carlson said. It was nice to see our post get involved in the scoring and we played great defense 99% of the time.
While Holloway led the way, Carlson complimented her bench. The Fillies were without Gabby Richards, but saw big minutes from Plumlee, Ella Taylor, Chloe Sell, Jenna Curry and Kailey Shinstock.
Of course Josie came in and gave us some good minutes, but so did Ella Taylor, Carlson said. She really came in and played some great defense on a girl three times her size. And Jenna, Kailey and Chloe all were put in a tough position. The first game they are in after not playing much is an overtime game.
The win gives Iola its first win in Pioneer League play, and will close 2019 with a 1-2 record in league.
BOX SCORE
Iola (7-14-8-13-9 51) (pts): Gardner 3, Morrison 7, Plumlee 6, Holloway 20, Kunkler 9, Sprague 6.
Prairie View (5-12-7-18-4 46) (pts): Kirkpatrick 6, Kellerman 6, Moore 9, Stainbrook 7, Paisley 18.
