Just over a month ago, the Trigg County Lady Wildcats crushed visiting Dawson Springs by 33 points, but in Tuesday’s rematch, Abby Ward nearly reached that amount on her own and had the Lady Panthers in front by a bucket in the 4th quarter.
However, Trigg’s Olivia Noffsinger did the job at the free-throw line down the stretch to help the Lady Wildcats hold on for a 70-62 victory.
In the opening two minutes, Ward got off to a quick start with a pair of 3-pointers to give the Lady Panthers a 9-2 lead. Trigg’s Kara Hyde connected on a couple from behind the arc, and the Lady Wildcats closed the quarter on a 10-0 run for a 17-11 edge.
Ward stayed hot with 10 more points in the 2nd quarter, but Trigg got seven from Marleigh Reynolds, and the Lady Wildcats took a 36-23 advantage into halftime.
The Lady Panthers outscored Trigg 20-10 in the 3rd behind five points each for Ward and Gracie Harper. Brylee Spurlin knocked down a pair of free throws with just over a minute to play in the quarter for a one-point Dawson Springs lead, but Audrey Alexander answered with a 3, and Landi Rogers sank two from the line for a 46-43 advantage.
To start the 4th, Ward banked in a 3-pointer and scored on a steal and layup, and it looked like it might be the Lady Panthers’ night. But, the Lady Wildcats turned to Reynolds for the response, and she delivered seven points in a decisive 9-0 run.
Dawson Springs got within five points three times in the final two minutes, but Noffsinger was 11/14 from the line over the last eight minutes to seal the Lady Wildcats’ fifth win in six outings.
Ward led all scorers with 29 and hit six of Dawson Springs’ nine 3-pointers. Harper also reached double figures with 11.
For the Lady Wildcats, Reynolds led the way with 22, followed by Noffsinger with 19, and Hyde with 15.
Trigg County returns to action on Friday with a trip to Christian County.
Dawson Springs will host University Heights on Thursday.
Trigg County 17 19 10 24 — 70
Dawson Springs 11 12 20 19 — 62
Trigg County (14-10) — Reynolds 22, Noffsinger 19, Hyde 15, Alexander 5, Grubbs 3, Rogers 3, McGee 2, Sink 2
Dawson Springs (6-15) — Ward 29, Harper 11, Huddleston 8, Drennan 6, Spurlin 6, Randolph 2
