After seeing a double-digit lead slip away, the Dawson Springs Lady Panthers used a big second half run to get back to the lead and then pull away for a 46-33 win over the University Heights Academy Lady Blazers Tuesday night at Blazer Gym. Trailing 27-25 in the third quarter, Dawson closed out the game with a 21-6 finish to claim the victory.
Dawson Springs controlled much of the first half. The Lady Panthers, behind the efforts of Macy Drennan and Gracie Harper, jumped out to an early 11-2 lead. UHA, missing the services of starting point guard Alecia Davis for the second game in a row, had turnover issues, which hindered getting into any kind of offensive flow in the game.
The Lady Panthers would be holding a 15-8 lead when the first quarter came to an end.
UHA cut the lead to 15-12 early in the second, only to see Dawson Springs go on a 10-2 spurt to push the lead out to 25-14.
Over the final moments of the first half and the start of the second, the Lady Blazers had their best stretch of basketball of the night. UHA used a 13-0 lead to grab their only lead of the night at 27-25. Freshman LeeLee Love was instrumental in bringing the Lady Blazers back into the game.
However, the rally for the Lady Blazers would end there. The turnover issues continued to impede the offense, and when UHA was able to get good looks at the basket, the shots did not want to fall.
Dawson Springs scored the final nine points of the third quarter to take a 34-27 lead. A pair of threes from Gracie Harper were a big part of the game-deciding rally.
The Lady Panthers then closed the door on the Lady Blazers, outscoring them 12-6 in the final quarter to claim the 13 point win.
Dawson Springs’ Gracie Harper led all scorers with 21 points. Macy Drennan also hit double figures with 11 points.
UHA was led by LeeLee Love and Breanna Daniel with 12 points each.
The loss drops UHA to 3-10 on the year. The Lady Blazers are set to return to the court Saturday afternoon when they host Butler County.
Dawson Springs improves to 2-7 on the year. The win was the first for the Lady Panthers since the devastating December 10 tornado.
DSHS — 15 10 9 12 – 46
UHA — 8 9 10 6 – 33
Dawson Springs (2-7) – Harper 21, Drennan 11, Ward 7, Spurlin 4, Oldham 3
UHA (3-10) – Love 12, Daniel 12, Bass 7, Hightower 2