Lady Dawgs fall to Lady Knights 68-55 despite 24-point outing from Honea

By TJ MAXWELL

Cove Leader-Press

A slow third quarter has put the Lady Dawgs in some compromising positions and it likely cost them the game against the Lady Knights Friday afternoon at Bulldawg Gymnasium.

The Lady Dawgs trailed by just five points at the half, but that lead ballooned to 11, 53-42, by the end of the third quarter of their 68-55 loss.

The Lady Knights exploded on an 11-2 run for a 44-34 lead after Cove junior Madisen “MJ” Honea opened the period with a three-pointer and Cove junior Kaysha McCloud hit 1 for 2 free throws to cut the Lady Knights’ lead to just one, 33-32.

A free throw and a three-pointer by Cove senior Madison Griffon again cut the Heights’ lead to single digits, 46-38, but the Lady Knights finished the quarter on a 9-2 run to take a 53-42 lead into the final frame.

Both teams exchanged points to open the fourth quarter until consecutive plays by Harker Heights junior Brielle Dorsey, including a traditional three-point play, pushed the lead to 17, 62-45.

A pair of free throws by junior Leah Powell, along with a three-pointer and pair of free throws by Honea and a putback by senior Jayda Carter again cut the lead to single digits, 63-55, but that is as close as they would get.

The Lady Knights closed on a 5-0 run for the 68-53 final score.

Honea had a game-high 24 points, including four three-pointers, to lead the Lady Dawgs’ effort. McCloud and Griffon add nine points each followed by Powell (4), Carter (4), junior newcomer Keanna Garrett (3) and sophomore AZ Knotts (2).

Junior Celise Bobbitt lead the Lady Knights with 15 points, followed by Dorsey (12), and junior Destiny Pemberton (11).

The Lady Dawgs (15-5 overall, 4-2 in District 12-6A) will get some rest before returning to action at the Aggieland Invitational tournament at Bryan-College Station on Dec. 27-29. Cove opens play at 10:30 a.m. against Clear Creek Clear Falls at Bryan Rudder H.S. Gym 1.