Lady Tigers roll past Center, 55-44, in home finale

Saturday, February 17, 2018
Lady Tiger head coach Brent Bartlett discusses strategy with his squad during the second half of Friday night’s contest at Wynn Gymnasium.
Gabe Franklin | Daily Mail

Note: This article has been updated from the print edition

The Nevada Lady Tigers cruised to an impressive 55-44 victory over the Center High School Lady Yellowjackets, on Courtwarming Night, Friday at Wynn Gym. The victory improves Nevada to 15-8 overall and 6-4 in West Central Conference-play, as the Lady Tigers extend their win streak to four games. Meanwhile, the first-place Yellowjackets drop to 13-9 overall and 8-2 in the WCC.

The Tigers controlled the game for start to finish, with sophomore shooting guard Payge Dahmer connecting on four first half three's. Leading 21-17 at the conclusion of the first, Nevada outscored Center 12-2 in the second, to grab a 33-19 halftime lead. The Lady Tigers then put the game on ice via Alison Bowers 3-pointer in the fourth, to go on top 52-37. The Lady Tigers were paced by Dahmer’s game-high 14 points, while Bower finished with two three's as the Lady Tigers knocked down seven triples on the night.

“I was very pleased, we competed really hard,” said Nevada head coach, Brent Bartlett. “I thought we did a lot of good things — Calli (Beshore) had another tremendous game and Payge hit those big three’s in the fist half that we needed. And I thought Teagan Charles competed so hard against (center, Jazmaine Lewis), and used her athleticism in a positive way.”

Bartlett has recently expanded to a nine-player rotation.

“I thought our depth won the game for us tonight,” said the veteran coach. “(Center) got into foul trouble, and we just kept the pressure on. We’re well-balanced in scoring and it makes us hard to guard. It was a good win against a team who came in at 8-1 in conference. This game shows we’re on the right path.”

Bartlett said he was pleased with his team’s full-court press, as well as the job the Lady Tigers did on super-quick Center point guard, Aeriana Smocks.

“We ended up wearing them out late in the first quarter, and early in the second quarter,” he said. “The press created some easier shots for us. That’s kind of what we’ve been about the last month.”

Concluded Bartlett: “We weren’t intimidated. And when you’re playing high quality teams near the end of the season, I think it helps prepare you for districts. You want to be playing your best basketball at the end of the year, and I think we’re headed that way.”

Up next

A WCC boys-girls varsity doubleheader with Smith Cotton H.S., Tuesday evening in Sedalia. The girls game is set to tip at 5:30 p.m. See Wednesday's edition of the Daily Mail for all the latest on Nevada Lady Tiger basketball

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