LADY TIGER CLASSIC: Carthage cruises past Joplin

Carthage's Vanessa Pawlak steals the ball from Joplin's Sidnee Palmer on Monday night during the first game of the Nevada Lady Tiger Classic. Carthage won the game 62-32.

By Jason Peake

Daily Mail Sports Editor

NEVADA -- Carthage cruised to a 62-32 victory over Joplin in the first game of the 2012 Nevada Lady Tiger Classic on Monday night at Wynn Gymnasium.

The Tigers led 19-3 in the first quarter and never looked back. Carthage had a 20-point lead early in the second quarter. The Eagles shot poorly from the field against Carthage's in-your-face pressure defense. After many of Joplin's misses, Carthage would get the rebound and race the other way for a layup. The Carthage lead was 41-12 at the half. Joplin had 15 turnovers against Carthage's full-court press in the first half. Carthage continued to press in the third quarter, and the lead grew to 57-17. There was a running clock in the fourth quarter.

Chloe Shepherd and Hannah Blount scored 16 points apiece for Carthage (12-5).

Joplin (2-12) was led by Bailey Taylor's eight points.

Carthage 62, Joplin 32

JO 5 7 9 11 -- 32

CA 21 20 17 4 -- 62

Joplin: M. Johnson 2, Martin 3, Palmer 4, Taylor 8, O'Dell 2, Hollingshead 3, Banwart 3, Wheeler 6, Queen 1.

Carthage: Shepherd 16, Charleston 4, Pawlak 9, Craig 3, Morgan 12, Blount 16, Baugh 2. Three-pointers: Pawlak 1.