Late comeback falls short for Nevada girls

Herald-Tribune

ANDERSON, Mo. -- Nevada's girls nearly overcame a 10-point deficit in the second half on Friday night. But in the end, host McDonald County held on late for a 51-45 win over the Tigers.

Nevada falls to 13-10 on the season with the loss.

Mac County snapped a four-game losing streak with the victory and improved to 11-12. Nevada's girls had won five of six entering the game.

Junior forward Tori Dahmer led Nevada with 10 points. Freshman guards Mikayla Bartlett and Morgan McNeley scored nine apiece for the Tigers.

Nevada took a 15-12 lead into the second quarter. The team's bench players gave the Tigers a lift late in the first quarter, as Kelsey McCall, Bailey Harbit and Rilie Good all contributed points for Nevada.

A back and forth second quarter saw Mac County go on a 7-0 run to pull ahead.

But Nevada got points from Bartlett and Dahmer late in the period, but the Tigers trailed the Mustangs 29-22 at halftime.

Mac County outscored Nevada 17-7 in the second period, including eight of the final 10 of the first half.

The Mustangs had an eight-point advantage early in the third quarter, but Nevada got hoops from Bartlett and McNeley to stay close.

Mac County responded by hitting back-to-back threes, pushing the lead to 38-29 with three minutes left in the period.

Next, Sarah Rickman's three-point play gave the Mustangs some breathing room at 41-29.

Nevada got points from Dahmer and Ashley Shumaker late in the third period, cutting Mac County's lead to 41-33 entering the fourth quarter.

The Mustangs held a 10-point lead, but the Tigers didn't quit.

McNeley drained a three, and Shumaker scored after a steal.

The two teams traded points, and Mac County was clinging to a 46-43 lead with two minutes to play. But Nevada turned the ball over with just under a minute to play and had to foul late.

Mac County hit five free throws late to seal the win.

Ashton Pratt scored 13 for the Mustangs, who were celebrating Senior Night.

Notes: Mac County beat Nevada earlier this season by three, 41-38.

Nevada's girls are at Webb City on Tuesday night at 6 p.m.

Mac County won the JV girls game 39-25.

Mc. County 51, Nevada 45

NE 15 7 11 12 -- 45

MC 12 17 12 10 -- 51

Nevada: Mikayla Bartlett 9, MacKenzie Pritchett 0, Morgan McNeley 9, Tori Dahmer 10, Rilie Good 2, Bailey Harbit 2, Ashley Shumaker 6, Kelsey McCall 7. Three-pointers: McNeley 3, Bartlett 1.