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Lady Tigers keep fighting, advance to district semis
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. -- Sometimes, to overcome a Webb, you have to lean on a Webb.
Nevada did just that as sophomore Jordan Webb scored a career high 24 points to lead the Nevada Lady Tigers over the Webb City Lady Cardinals Monday, 58-51, in the quarterfinals of the Class 4, District 12 tournament.
"I knew if we could keep her out of foul trouble, she'd have a big game," Nevada head coach Brent Bartlett said of Webb.
Webb did stay out of foul trouble, not picking up a single whistle as she carried the Lady Tigers offensively.
It was a stark contrast to the previous meeting between the two schools just three nights earlier.
In Friday's game at Webb City, Webb fouled out early in the fourth period and Nevada eventually squandered a five-point lead in the final 50 seconds of regulation before falling in overtime.
Monday it was Webb City fighting foul trouble, as two starters fouled out of the game, and the Lady Tigers held off the late charge this time.
"I couldn't be more proud of these girls," Bartlett said. "What a team effort."
Nevada did get a team effort on the scoreboard, as Amanda Wilson scored 14 points, Jordan Scotten fought a fever and flu-like symptoms to add six and freshman Taylor Means got her first varsity bucket as all seven Tiger players who got in the game scored.
Nevada (14-12) rallied from an early deficit and didn't trail after taking a 15-14 lead on a Webb layup with 23 seconds remaining in the first period.
Nevada would go on a 10-2 run in the second quarter, building a 28-18 lead with field goals by Erica Klinksick, Tori Miller, Amanda Wilson and two by Webb.
Webb City (11-15) fought back, scoring the final six points of the first half to cut Nevada's lead to 28-24 going into the break.
The third quarter was back and forth, and eventually Webb City closed to within three, at 38-35 just before the end of the period.
But Webb scored on an offensive rebound with five seconds left to shift the momentum back to the Lady Tigers going into the fourth quarter.
In the final period Webb City turned up the full-court press, forcing Nevada into seven of their 20 turnovers, but the Lady Tigers found a way to get it done anyway.
Kristin Badgley hit one of her two treys with 6:36 remaining to make it 45-36.
Turnovers then allowed the Lady Cardinals to go on a 7-0 run, cutting the lead to two with 4:29 left.
Webb converted a three-point play to give Nevada some breathing room, and scored again on Nevada's next possession and the Lady Tigers were back up by seven.
Consecutive Mackenzie Rhea jumpers made it 50-47 with 2:22 remaining, but Nevada pulled away from there.
"They had the athleticism on us and the speed on us, but we just willed a victory," Bartlett said.
Webb City had three players in double figures, but it wasn't enough to overcome the hot hand of Webb and the team effort in support.
Nevada will advance to Thursday's semifinal game against Carthage, the top seed in the tournament. Carthage had a first-round bye.
It will be the fourth meeting of the season for the two teams, with Carthage winning the first three. Their last meeting was Feb. 14, when Nevada led by two at halftime before falling 49-35.
"We're glad (to play Carthage)," Bartlett said. "We had them down at halftime but didn't play four quarters against them last time."