Facing a near double-digit deficit in the first half, the Lady Aces looked out of sorts. They were missing layups, and according to Head Coach Michael Robertson, they lacked defensive intensity early. Despite the early struggles, they were able to turn the game around in the third quarter – highlighted by preventing Owensboro from knocking down a field goal over that span.
“In the first half, we were doing too much holding the ball, just standing, and having no movement,” Robertson said. “So, we got a little more movement and started looking inside. We hit some open jumpers, and our press got after them a little bit.”
In the fourth quarter, the Lady Aces were able to pull away for a 66-49 victory, thanks to finishing 10-14 from the charity stripe down the stretch.
Owensboro led 17-13 entering the second quarter, with Unique Carter-Swanagan finding her shot early. The senior scored 12 of her 19 points in the first half, while Abby Sapp added six points over that span.
“I thought we played really well for three quarters, but their press was very effective in the second half,” Owensboro Head Coach Wynn Harris said. “Abby getting hurt late in the third changed our rotation and a lot of what we do. I thought my bench stepped up and played hard. Catholic is a really good team, and they showed that in the fourth quarter.”
Robertson acknowledged after the game that his team didn’t match Owensboro’s physicality early on.
“They were aggressive and played tough,” Robertson said. “They took the ball to the basket.”
Claudia Munsey led the way for the Lady Aces, hitting five threes to go along with her 17 points, while Layla Martin added 15 points. Katie Hagan and Taylor Mannahan both finished with nine points.
For the Lady Devils, Olivia Hogg finished with nine points, and Adrean Carothers and Abby Sapp both had seven points.
It’s a short turnaround for the Lady Aces, as they host McCracken County later today at 3:30 pm, while Owensboro travels to Breckinridge County on Monday.
Red Devils pick up third win of the season
The second half has been an achillies heel for Owensboro at times this season, suffering multiple late game collapses. Holding onto a four-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter, Owensboro’s Kade Arnold pulled up from deep behind the arc and drained it, igniting his student section.
Owensboro Catholic’s Jake Murphy quickly answered with a three-pointer of his own, but the Red Devils scored on their next two possessions, sucking the energy out of the Owensboro Sportscenter. Murphy tried to will his team to the finish line, hitting four threes and scoring 14 of his 18 points, but the Red Devils made enough of their free throws down the stretch to close it out – 68-58.
“I thought we played well tonight,” Owensboro Head Coach Rod Drake said. “We have played well all season, and tonight we put four quarters together. It was good for us.”
Entering the night, Owensboro (3-15) only had two wins on the season, but it was impossible to tell from the opening tip. Owensboro Catholic’s (12-9) Solly Smith got hot early, scoring eight of his team’s 17 first-quarter points, but Tre Shemwell answered back at every opportunity.
The senior scored nine of his 13 points in the first half, finishing at the rim and knocking down some tough jump shots. After allowing the Aces to score 17 points in the first quarter, the Red Devils’ defense held them to six points in the second – eventually taking a 27-23 lead into halftime.
“I told them at half we need to stay consistent. The second half is what kills us,” Drake said. “We have been tied in many balls games, and we have been up and have just collapsed. Tonight, we put four quarters together.”
The third quarter was an even affair, with both teams scoring 17 points – highlighted by the Aces shooting a perfect 10-10 from the free throw line.
Arnold led the way for the Red Devils, hitting three threes to go along with his team-high 14 points, while Jamil Waddy and Shemwell both had 13 points. DaMarcus Ganaway was fourth on the team in scoring with 11 points.
For the Aces, Solly Smith finished with 12 points, and Dylan Hagan had 10 points.
Owensboro returns to action on Tuesday when they travel to Central Hardin, while Owensboro Catholic hosts Apollo in a pivotal 9th District game on Monday.
