For a half, it appeared like the University Heights Academy Lady Blazers were on the verge of picking up their biggest win of the season. They had rallied from 12 points down to tie Paducah Tilghman at 26-26 at the half and had all of the momentum on their side as they headed off into the locker room.
Then, Myiesha Smith stepped into the picture for the Lady Blue Tornado. Smith scored eight points in the third quarter and helped ignite a huge third quarter for Tilghman as they broke open the close game and pulled away to a 69-44 win in Blazer Gym.
With Alicia Davis and Lee Lee Love leading the Lady Blazer effort, UHA stayed right on Tilghman’s heels in the opening quarter. A couple of late threes in the quarter put the Lady Blue Tornado up 17-11 going into the second quarter.
Tilghman scored the first five points of the second to extend the lead out to 22-11. With the score at 25-13, University Heights took over the quarter. With their defensive pressure providing a spark, the Lady Blazers finished the second quarter on a 13-1 run to even things up at 26-26 at the half. Davis and Love carried the load in the comeback and combined to score 21 of the 26 first-half points.
A combination of cold shooting and the Tilghman defense would be the undoing for the Lady Blazers in the third quarter. UHA was held to just one field goal as Tilghman took control of the game. The Lady Blue Tornado finished the third quarter by scoring the final ten points to take a 48-30 lead.
Myiesha Smith again had a big quarter for Tilghman with most of her points scored on runouts as she was breaking for the basket as soon as UHA shots would go up or the Lady Blue Tornado would come up with a steal.
Tilghman’s speed and defensive pressure then really took its toll on the shorthanded Lady Blazers, who dressed only six players, and the Lady Tornado pulled away over the final eight minutes to the final 25-point margin.
Alicia Davis was the leading scorer for UHA with 23 points. LeeLee Love also hit double-digits with 16.
For Paducah Tilghman, Myiesha Smith finished with 25. Diamond Gray added 13 points, including three made 3-pointers. Alexzandria Harris chipped in with 8 points.
The loss drops the Lady Blazers to 5-20 for the year. They return to action Friday night when they host the Trigg County Lady Wildcats.
PTHS – 17 09 22 21 — 69
UHA – 11 15 04 14 — 44
Paducah Tilghman – Smith 25, Gray 13, Harris 8, Garland 7, Reed 6, Shumpert 3, Coffie 3, Boling 2, Roberts 2
University Heights – Davis 23, Love 16, Quarles 5
