Baylee Swatzell scored the go-ahead putback with 28 seconds to go and then blocked a potential game-tying shot just ahead of the final horn as the Dawson Springs Lady Panthers opened the 2024-2025 season with a 38-36 come-from-behind win over the Christian Fellowship Lady Eagles.
The Lady Panthers were in position for the winning shot thanks to a strong 4th quarter from senior Hailey Oldham, who scored seven points in the quarter including a three that cut a four points CFS lead to one and then came up with a steal and layup that put Dawson Springs ahead by one with 2:11 to go.
Oldham’s run capped off a rally that saw the Lady Panthers come from six points down early in the final quarter.
The game was tied three times early in the contest before Christian Fellowship went on a 7-0 run to take a 13-7 lead. Meleah Grigg and Kylee Hines, both freshmen, made big plays during the run to get the Lady Eagles to the lead. The first quarter ended with CFS holding a 16-13 lead.
Both teams had trouble getting the ball in the basket in the second quarter. The Lady Panthers and the Lady Eagles had one field goal each. The difference in the quarter was that Dawson Springs hit five free throws to just one for Christian Fellowship and the Lady Panthers took a 20-19 lead into the break.
Shooting woes continued for both teams as the second half got underway. Both the Lady Panthers and the Lady Eagles got good looks at the basket, but just could not get the shots to fall. The game was tied at 22-22, 25-25, and 27-27 before CFS got late-quarter baskets from Kyndal Owen and Rylee Hudson to take a 31-27 lead going into the final eight minutes.
Christian Fellowship scored the first basket of the fourth before the Lady Panthers made their move.
Dawson Springs was led by Baylee Swatzell with 13 points. Emmie Colson added 12, eight of them coming in the first half. Hailey Oldham finished with 9, including that run in the fourth quarter.
Rylee Hudson was the only player to hit double figures for Christian Fellowship with 15. Kylee Hines chipped in with 6.
Dawson Springs (1-0) gets back to action Saturday afternoon when they host Whitesville Trinity at 1pm.
