Lady Tigers have nightmare before Christmas

Nevada Daily Mail

NEOSHO, Mo. -- 'Twas the week before Christmas and all through the court, not a creature was stirring, particularly the Nevada Lady Tigers.

Nevada junior Afton Baldwin tries to drive through three defenders during Tuesday's game at Neosho. The Lady Tigers struggled with the quickness and athleticism of the Lady Wildcats and lost 57-40 in a game that was not as close as the score. Neosho, picked by the Southwest Conference coaches to finish last in a preseason poll this season, served notice to the rest of the schools with a convincing win over Nevada, picked to finish first. [Click to enlarge]

In the Southwest Conference opener for both schools, the Lady Tigers were thrashed by the Neosho Lady Wildcats Tuesday, 57-40.

Playing in a game that was changed from the original schedule to accommodate Neosho's wishes to participate in a tournament that's taking place on Jan. 20, the Lady Wildcats dominated from the outset.

A basket by Jordan Webb with 6:37 still remaining in the first quarter gave Nevada it's only lead, at 2-1.

From there the Lady Wildcats pressured Nevada with a stingy man-to-man defense, forcing Nevada into 10 first-half turnovers and opening up a 31-14 lead at the break.

Particularly tough on the Lady Tigers was Neosho senior Jessica Marble, who usually covered the Nevada player bringing the ball up the court. Marble displayed tenacious on-the-ball defense, often forcing Nevada guards Lisa Pendrak, Afton Baldwin and Kristin Badgley to throw passes to teammates that weren't quite open.

While the score was only 13-10 at the end of the first period, Neosho went on a 12-3 run to blow things open. Super freshman Savannah Snow capped the jaunt, hitting her first of three 3-pointers. Snow led all scorers with 22 points.

The third quarter was an extension of the second. Neosho (3-5) harassed Nevada (6-3) into numerous turnovers, while taking care of the ball themselves and they put the game to bed early on the back of a 23-7 run. Neosho led by as many as 33 points, 54-21, with under a minute to play in the third period.

Nevada's offense finally showed up in the fourth quarter, with the game already out of hand.

Amanda Wilson scored all five of her points and Afton Baldwin got five of her team-high 14 points in the final period.

Giving the Lady Tigers at least a glimmer of hope going into the Winter Break, Nevada outscored Neosho 14-3 in the final quarter, despite the Lady Wildcats keeping their starters in the game.

"We kinda got snakebit down here," Nevada head coach Brent Bartlett said. "We were just a step behind all night."

Nevada finished the game with 18 turnovers, while Neosho only committed nine. During the decisive second and third periods, Nevada had 10 turnovers and Neosho had four.

Bartlett said the difference in play was more of a focus issue.

"We are not good enough to just show up and win ballgames," he said. "This team (Neosho) is a scrappy team. They just flat out took it to us."

Neosho was coming off a 16-point loss on Monday to the defending Class 4 state champions, Ozark. Their record is likely an indication of their youth and difficult schedule.

The Lady Wildcats have two freshmen playing extensive varsity minutes. Snow is joined by twin sister Lorelei, and neither of them played like freshmen Tuesday.

Neosho has another sister combination that has helped them overcome the loss of four seniors from last season's squad. Marble, who didn't play last season, is joined by younger sister Chenae, who is a sophomore.

Coming into the year, Neosho was picked last in the five-team Southwest Conference by the coaches.

Nevada, which was picked first in the conference, will have to correct things next week in practice, as they get ready for the Carthage tournament that begins Jan. 3.

"(The loss) gives our kids motivation and me motivation to know how hard we have to work over Christmas to get ready for the Carthage Tournament," Bartlett said.