The McCracken Lady Mustangs add another game to the win column after defeating Livingston Central at home Monday night. It was a seamless transition from defensive pressure to offensive success, as they controlled the game all the way until the final buzzer, securing the 77-48 win.
From the get go, the steals from McCracken became overwhelming for the Lady Cardinal offense. With the Lady Mustangs up 10-5 in the middle of the first quarter, Ava Hughes stepped in the passing lane for a steal on two straight possessions, and both times dished it to a running Lily Hamilton for an easy fast break layup. Hughes herself added eight points in the first quarter as well, and had McCracken out in front 24-11 after the first eight minutes of play.
Reagan Hill started her six-point second quarter off strong with a post spin and short mid range in the opening seconds. She also provided a strong showing as the team’s defensive anchor in the middle as well, deflecting a shot and collecting rebounds.
Junior Sarah Kate Houser checked into the game and buried two threes in the quarter, and was a big part of how McCracken maintained and slightly extended their lead. Livingston had cut the lead down to 10 in the final minute, but a three by each Houser and Ashley Word put the Lady Mustangs up 41-25 at halftime.
McCracken County repeated in the third quarter with another 17 points, eight of which from the hands of Lilly Hamilton, who went 3-4 from the charity stripe in the period. The Lady Mustangs defense continued to limit the the explosiveness of Livingston Central, and held them to just four made field goals in the third. This extended McCracken’s lead into the twenties, and were up 58-37 entering the final quarter.
Halfway through the quarter, with neither team exploding one way or another, the Lady Mustangs’ reserves checked into the game, and coasted until the finish line. They had a nice string of points off back to back triples from Arri Brison and Layton Owens, which held the Lady Cardinals at bay. From here, the game finished with McCracken on top 77-48.
Ava Hughes once again found herself at the top of the Lady Mustangs scoring sheet with 17 points. Behind her were both Lilly Hamilton and Sarah Kate Houser with 14, and Reagan Hill knotted 11. Emersyn Ramage scored a game-high 18 points for Livingston, and was the only Lady Cardinal in double figures.
With this, McCracken secures their 12th win of the season, and gives them some wiggle room above that .500 mark, now sitting at 12-10. Their next matchup will be against another Second Region opponent, when they host Hopkins County Central on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
The Lady Cardinals have struggled as of late, dropping their fourth straight, and are now 6-13 on the season. They move on to play Stewart County (TN) on the road Tuesday at 6 p.m.