Second quarter run crucial in Lady Eagles’ home win

 

Jason Peevyhouse

Editor, JP Productions Sports

The Lady Eagles proved how much difference a quick run could make as the Dyersburg State women rallied to tie the game at the end of the opening quarter then continued a lengthy run into the second frame to take a double-digit lead on the way to a 67-43 win over Pelissippi State on Saturday afternoon in the home confines of the Ed Lannom Jr. Gymnasium.

“We had a lot of good energy there,” Dyersburg State Head Coach Nathan Daume said. “I was a little concerned with this game because it was the fourth game in eight days.

“We had pretty good energy most of the game but that was a nice little push there.”

The Lady Panthers were able to take an early lead thanks to a pair of three-pointers from Ashley Crick. Dyersburg State battled back with a bucket from Sariyah Williams and a free throw by Rebecca Wood. A quick run by the Lady Panthers was capped by an Ashley Crick bucket to take a 14-9 lead. The Lady Eagles answered with at three-pointer and a jumper from Sanayah Starks to tie the game at 14-14 at the end of the first quarter.

Starks duplicated those buckets at the start of the second quarter which continued the Lady Eagles run which grew to a 15-0 scoring spree after two more buckets from Starks and a Lily Bennett jumper. During this run, Lady Panther Ashley Crick went down with an injuiry and did not return. Pelissippi State answered late in the half with a 9-2 run to cut into the DSCC lead before a Wood three-pointer put Dyersburg State on top 33-25 at the break.

“They made a little run there right before the half and then we got a big three there from Rebecca Wood,” Daume added.

The Lady Eagles worked around a three-pointer from Lady Panther Alice Conrad early in the third quarter with buckets from Makayla Skinner, Bennett and Paris Halliburton to push their lead to a dozen. The Lady Panthers were able to keep it at around 12 during much of the third frame before Jakarrah Anderson pushed the Dyersburg State lead to 49-36 with a late three-pointer to end the third frame.

“Those were back breakers for them,” Daume said of the treys to end the second and third quarters. “They had momentum both times and then the throw in the threes that we did, it kind of deflates you a little bit. Then we start the fourth quarter and push it up to 18, 20.”

The Lady Eagles put the game out of reach early in the fourth quarter, getting a three-pointer from Skinner to open an 8-2 run to begin the final frame. From there, Dyersburg State cruised to the win over the Lady Panthers.

“I think we got a lot of good minutes out of a lot of kids today which we needed,” the Dyersburg State head coach explained.

Starks led the way for the Lady Eagles with 18 points while Williams tossed in 10 in the win.

“I thought our kids played well,” Daume added. “Sanayah Starks, I thought that was the best game she’s had for us. It’s good to see that.

“Rebecca Wood is doing some nice things. Paris Halliburton played a pretty good game.”

Daume added transition buckets was a big thing for the Lady Eagles in the win.

“We were able to get out and get some transition buckets,” he explained. “It just makes everything else a lot easier. Proud of the girls.”

The Lady Eagles return to the court on Wednesday when Dyersburg State hosts Jackson State at 5:30 p.m.