By Kyle Roberts
MONROE, La. — A furious second half rally, fueled in large part by senior Kiersynce McNeal, fell short Friday night as the Lady Bearcats (8-11; 1-1, District 2-5A) lost to Neville (15-3, 2-0 District 2-5A) 46-43.
“We trailed early in the game and dug a hole for ourselves, but, we fought back and applied great defensive pressure,” Ruston High head coach LaShanda Cooper said. “Our senior leaders stepped up and kept the younger girls locked in and focused.
Neville got out to a 9-6 lead after the first quarter after getting a three-pointer from sophomore Gioia Tatum and then a basket by sophomore Bailee Harrison. Ruston got a second three pointer by Tatum in the second quarter and McNeal’s first basket of the night.
After getting down 19-11 at the half, Ruston then scored 32 total points in the second half, with McNeal scoring 13 of her 15 points in the final two quarters.
“We’ve been really pushing (McNeal) to lead not just when things are good but when things are bad as well and she really stepped up last night,” Cooper said. “It was a tough loss for us but the hard work and resilience the girls showed made our coaching staff proud.”
Sophomore Angelica Green added three points on a made free throw and a basket, while McNeal added her second basket in the third quarter. Freshman Adrianna Roberson added a basket and a made free throw, and Ruston trailed 34-20 heading into the final stanza.
The Lady Bearcats more than doubled their point-total in the fourth quarter alone, scoring 23 points after getting 20 through three quarters. McNeal accounted for 11 of Ruston’s point total in the fourth.
Ruston also got seven-point performances out of both junior Journi Douglas, who scored all of her points in the fourth quarter. Senior Jasmine Summerford added scored five in the fourth quarter with a made three-pointer and a basket, as well.
Tatum totaled six points on two three-point shots in the first half.
The Lady Bearcats return to action Tuesday, Jan. 28, for a non-district home matchup with Gibsland-Coleman. Tip off is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Ruston High School Main Gym.
Score by Quarter
Ruston 6+5+9+23 = 43
Neville 9+10+15+10 = 46
