Playing at home for the second time this season, St. Clair posted a girls basketball win Tuesday over Northwest.
The Lady Bulldogs (5-2) took the lead for good by allowing just four points in the third quarter in a 51-42 victory.
“We made a few defensive adjustments at halftime and that made the difference,” said St. Clair Head Coach Jena Carroll. “We were able to force them to turn the ball over and did a nice job of converting on offense.”
Northwest (4-5) held leads of 11-10 after one quarter and 26-24 at halftime.
“It was back-and-forth the whole first half. It took a little longer than we had hoped to get adjusted and settled,” Carroll said. “We were doing several things right, but then would go down on the other end and turn the ball over or make a mistake on defense.”
The Lady Bulldogs outscored Northwest 10-4 in the third quarter to grab a 34-30 advantage. They pulled away in the fourth period with a 17-12 advantage.
Karissa Hoffman led St. Clair in scoring with 13 points.
“Hoffman was tough underneath and did a nice job of finishing,” Carroll said.
Katelyn Guehne, a freshman forward, finished the game with 12 points and 16 rebounds, including 12 offensive rebounds.
“Katelyn played really tough all night,” Carroll said. “She did an incredible job on the boards and came up with some key steals as well.”
Allison Hinson also scored 12 points.
“Hinson hit two threes in the fourth quarter to extend our lead,” Carroll said.
Kayla Klenke added seven points for the Lady Bulldogs.
“Klenke had a strong second half, getting all of her seven points after halftime,” Carroll said. “She played a huge factor in our defensive adjustments.”
Sam Deason netted five points. Anna Reed scored two points.
Hermann
Coming off its first loss of the season at Sullivan, the Hermann Lady Bearcats got back on track with a home win Friday, Dec. 14, over St. Clair.
Hermann (7-1, 1-1) started fast and never looked back in a 67-46 Four Rivers Conference victory over the Lady Bulldogs.
“We got off to a good start. We defended really well to start the game and did a nice job rebounding throughout the night,” said Hermann Head Coach Todd Anderson. “We had several different kids contribute offensively.”
St. Clair fell behind 24-11 after one quarter and 39-18 at halftime.
“We did not perform to our full potential,” said Carroll. “Hermann came out strong and aggressive and we did not follow our game plan or execute the things that we have been working on.”
Both teams scored 28 points in the second half as the Lady Bulldogs were able to regroup.
Hermann still held a 56-33 advantage heading into the final eight minutes.
Karinne Lane, a 5-5 guard, flirted with a quadruple double, leading the Lady Bearcats with 19 points, nine steals, eight assists and seven rebounds.
Jamie Gleeson collected 18 points, 14 rebounds and four steals.
Tesla Ruediger finished with 11 points, six steals and three assists.
Kali Stiers added 10 points and four assists.
Kirsten Leimkuehler had nine points and four rebounds.
Hinson led St. Clair with 12 points. Deason and Guehne both finished with eight points.
Hoffman pitched in with six points. Reed netted five points. Hannah Molkenbur scored three points. Klenke and Alicia York both had two points.
“Most of the girls worked hard, but it just did not come together,” Carroll said. “Hermann is a great team and played really well.”
St. Clair plays at the Rolla Tournament Dec. 27-29, opening against Smith-Cotton Dec. 27 at 1 p.m.
