The Lady Cats’ basketball team cruised to a 17 point halftime lead against Princeton at home Friday night (December 14) only to have to hang on for dear life for a 3 point win, 53-50.
The Lady Panthers could do little right in the first half trailing 17-4 after the first quarter and 32-15 at the half. In the third quarter, Lady Cats point guard Sadavia Porter was forced to the bench with four fouls and the Lady Panthers began to heat up. Still the Lady Cats led 42-32 heading into the fourth quarter. Even after Porter returned Princeton continued to cut into the lead and got as close as 47-46 late in the game. Only some big baskets by seniors Autumn Tanton and clutch free throws by Porter allowed the Lady Cats to stay ahead. Late in the fourth quarter, Porter hit a driving layup as she took a very hard foul. Porter made both free throws and the Lady Cats also got possession of the ball.
Tanton led the Lady Cats in scoring with 26 points including 5 big points in the fourth quarter. Porter had 20 points in the game including 6 fourth quarter points. She was 4 of 5 from the line in the final quarter. Princeton point guard Nakeitra Mack scored 23 points.
The Lady Cats improved their season record to 13-3. Princeton slips to 8-7. The Lady Cats play North Lamar next Tuesday at 5:45 p.m. in Wildcats Gym. North Lamar is the alma mater of Lady Cats Coach Brittney Tisdell.
