LADY CATS TAKE DOWN MULESHOE, 43-27

The Littlefield Lady Cats’ varsity basketball team took down the Muleshoe Lady Mules on Tuesday, 43-27, in their second meeting of the season.

With the win, the Lady Cats improve to 8-6 overall, 7-1 in district play.

KyLee Villa got the Lady Mules going in the first quarter with a lay-up off of a turnover by Littlefield sophomore, Madison McNeese, but junior, Ashtyn Parker, responded for the Lady Cats with a lay-up off of the assist from freshman, Kyndal Edgemon, making the score, 2-2.

Senior guard, Geyah Garza, scored a lay-up off of a steal and on the following possession, Edgemon drove the lane for a layup, drawing an and-one foul on Kristina Arzola. The free throw was no good, leaving the score, 6-2.

With 3:05 remaining in the opening quarter, Villa dropped in a fastbreak lay-up off of a turnover by Garza, trimming the lead to, 6-4. Littlefield took a time out with 2:34 remaining in the quarter, and out of the break, Villa dropped in a layup in transition to tie the game, 6-6.

Arzola was fouled on an attempt by Garza with just over one minute to play in the quarter; she sank both free throws and with time winding down in the quarter, Villa grabbed an offensive rebound and drove the lane for a lay-up, making the score, 10-6, to close out quarter number one.

Natalie Ambriz picked up a steal and finished the play with a jump stop at the basket for a lay-up to extend the Muleshoe lead to, 12-6. Parker was fouled on an attempt by Ambriz and split the free throws to trim the lead to, 12-7.

Littlefield took a time out with 4:19 remaining in the first half, and out of the break, Ambriz knocked down a turnaround jumper from the left elbow, drawing an and-one foul on the play. She missed the free throw, leaving the score, 14-7.

Leal followed it up with a jumper from the right elbow, but Garza answered on the other end with a jumper off of the assist from junior guard, Emily Champion, cutting the lead to, 16-9. With under one minute to play in the half, Edgemon dropped in a put-back off of the miss by Garza, making the score, 16-11, as the Lady Mules took a time out to talk things over.

Out of the break, McNeese buried a three from the left elbow off of the assist from Garza, but in the closing seconds, Villa dropped in a lay-up to make it a four-point game, 18-14, going into the locker room at halftime.

Villa opened the second half with a scoop lay-up that was answered on the other end by Edgemon, who dropped in a layup of her own to make the score, 20-16. With 5:07 remaining in the third quarter, Edgemon took a charge on Villa, but the Lady Cats were unable to capitalize on the turnover, as Leal drove the left side of the basket for a lay-up, making the score, 22-16.

With 4:31 left to play in the quarter, Garza knocked down a baseline jumper from the right side and on the following play, McNeese drew a blocking foul on Ambriz, earning a trip to the line. She split the free throws, making the score, 22-19.

Edgemon hauled in an offensive rebound and scored a put-back off of the miss by Parker, drawing an and-one foul on Makayla Toscano. She missed the free throw, but the ball went out of bounds off of Muleshoe. With 2:08 to play in the quarter, Garza grabbed an offensive rebound and scored a put-back off of a miss by Edgemon giving the Lady Cats the lead, 23-22.

Kylie Hernandez drained a three from the right wing for Muleshoe, but McNeese answered right back for Littlefield with a three from the right elbow, making the score, 26-25, with 1:23 to play in the quarter.

With under one minute to play in the quarter, McNeese picked up a steal and dropped in a lay-up, drawing an and-one foul on Villa. She converted the free throw to make the score, 29-25, heading into the final quarter of play.

Champion picked up a steal and got it ahead to McNeese, who buried a three from the left elbow to extend their lead to, 32-25. Edgemon followed it up with a layup off of a miss by McNeese and scored again on the next play on a put-back off of a miss by junior, Brookelyn Gau, making the score, 36-25, as the Lady Cats took a time out with 5:57 remaining.

Out of the break, McNeese picked up steal and took it the other way for a fast-break lay-up, drawing an and-one foul on Kayla Soto. She converted the free throw pushing their lead out to, 39-25.

With 1:50 left to play in the game, Ambriz was fouled on an attempt by Champion; she converted both free throws to trim the lead to, 39-27, but on the other end, McNeese was fouled on the floor by Leal, in the double bonus, she went to the line for two free throws. She sank one-of-two shots at the line, pushing the lead to, 40-27.

With under one minute remaining, Gau knocked down a par of free throws and McNeese split a pair to close out the game with the Lady Cats taking down the Lady Mules, 43-27.

The Lady Cats were led in scoring by McNeese, who finished with a game-high 18 points. She was joined in double figures by Edgemon, who netted 12 points.

Garza tallied eight points, while Parker chipped in three points and Gau finished with two points in the contest.

The Cats will be at home against Dimmitt on Tuesday for their next district match-up.

Tip-off is scheduled for 6:15 p.m.