Adrian loses tough battle
Lady Antelopes shoot for fourth
By Scott Ford
Argus Observer
Thursday, February 28, 2008 10:25 AM PST
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| Scott Ford | Argus Observer
Adrian’s McKenzie Purnell launches a trey during the opening round of the 1A girls state playoff tournament against No. 2 St. Paul. Adrian shot 1-of-11 from beyond the arch and made only 28 percent from the field in its 59-31 loss Wednesday in Baker City. |
Baker City — Early foul trouble did in the Adrian Lady Antelopes Wednesday in the opening round of the 1A state playoffs agasinst No. 2 St. Paul.
Adrian started off slow and could not rebound in a 59-31 loss that knocked them into the losers bracket and a fifth place best finish.
St. Paul took advantage of two quick fouls on Adrian’s Paige Branstiter and went on a 13-3 first quarter run to set the table for what would become a very physical game.
Adrian got back into their offense in the second frame scoring 11 points, but the Lady Bucks added 12 and led at the break 25-14, They had also managed to get Branstiter into huge foul trouble with four personals in the first 16 minutes of play.
The Antelopes came out of the break fired up and cut the Lady Bucks lead to five points with a 6-0 run to start the third quarter. Terra Rust drilled a three right out of the gate, then added two more after a forced turnover on St. Paul.
Branstiter hit one of two charity shots with 7:01 to play in the third quarter and the Antelopes were back in the game.
Over the final six minutes of the third, St. Paul outscored Adrian 13-4 and took control of the game leading 40-24 with eight minutes left to play.
In the final frame, the Antelopes struggled from the field and scored only five points, while the Lacy Bucks put up 19 more for the final margin.
“We made too many mistakes, and let them have too many opportunities,” Adrian head coach Gene Mills said. “It hurt having Paige in foul trouble. It made us do different things. But we have players who can make plays, we just did not make them.”
Adrian was led by Rust and Branstiter with 11 points each. Leading St. Paul in scoring was Brittani Brown with 16, and Julie Drescher added 15.
The loss moved the Antelopes into the consolation bracket where they will face Sherman today at 10:45 (PST) in Baker City.
