The McClain Lady Tigers jumped out early on Miami Trace in FAC action Thursday night but tough defense and four players scoring in double figures powered the Lady Panthers to a 62-38 victory.
McClain, despite starting three freshman against the leader in the FAC, led after the first quarter 16-11 as they outworked Miami Trace both on offense and defense. McClain freshman Kyla Burchett knocked down back to back 3-point shots and McClain out rebounded Trace 8-0 in the first. After that it was all Miami Trace.
The second quarter started with Panther junior guard Cassidy Lovett forcing 4 straight turnover's which kicked off a 15-4 run and Miami Trace took a six point lead into the half, 26-20. Miami Trace finished the half shooting 11-29 including going just 1-9 from beyond the arc but were out rebounded in the half 15-7. McClain shot 7-17 in the half and shot 50% from long range going 3-6. The Tigers committed 15 turnovers compared to just 7 from the Panthers.
The Panther defense went into lock down mode in the second half allowing only one made field goal in the entire third period and just six made shots for the entire half. Miami Trace outscored McClain 36-18 in the second half to take home the win and remain unbeaten in league play with a 62-38 victory.
Miami Trace had four players in double figures, led by senior Tanner Bryant's 16 followed by Victoria Fliehman with 12, Shay McDonald had 10 and Cassidy Lovett also had 10 points. Trace ended the night shooting 23-56 for 41% from the field but were 3-15 from behind the arc, they shot 10-14 from the free throw line for 71%, committed 17 turnovers and ended up out rebounding McClain 20-19.
McClain 2-9 (1-5) ended the night shooting 10-34 from the field for 29%, four of those buckets were from behind the arc, they were 14-20 from the free throw line and committed 26 turnovers. They were led in scoring by freshman Kyla Burchett who ended the night with 11 points. She was the only Tiger in double figures.
Miami Trace now moves on to play Ottawa Glandorf on Saturday afternoon at the Panther Pit. Glandorf is ranked #3 in Div. III this season. The JV game starts at noon with the varsity to follow. Buckeye Country 105.5FM/iHeartRadio broadcast start roughly around 1:15 p.m.