Rector stops BIC 66-56 in District Tournament

Buffalo Island Central put four players in double figures, but it wasn't enough as Rector outscored the Lady Mustangs 66-56 Tuesday night at Caraway in 2A-3 District Tournament action.

The Lady Mustangs built a 12-8 advantage with 2:01 to go in the opening quarter, but saw Rector fight back, scoring the period's last 10 points to take an 18-12 lead. Hillary Calhoun began the Rector run with a driving lay-up, and after a pair of free throws from Stephanie Dement, the Lady Cougars closed the quarter with back to back treys from Dement and Chrissy Crawford.

Rector led most of the second period until senior Jordan Miller banked home a five foot hook shot with 53 seconds remaining in the half, giving BIC a 30-29 lead. Calhoun quickly answered with another driving lay-up for the Lady Cougars before Destinei Heathcott knocked down a three pointer to put Rector ahead 34-30 at the half.

Sophomore Rebecca Dodd began the third quarter with back to back treys to push the Cougar lead to 10 points, and when Calhoun drove the lane for two and completed a three point play after being fouled, Rector held a 46-34 bulge at the 3:24 mark.

BIC fought back however, cutting the lead to 46-44 behind Jenna Pike's two three pointers and an offensive stick-back by Miller with 2:52 left in the third quarter. Rector responded with a bucket by Calhoun. Dement stroked a trey with three seconds left in the quarter, pushing the Rector lead to 51-44 heading into the final frame.

BIC kept the game close throughout the fourth period, pulling within three points, 59-56, on a five-foot runner by Corie Flannigan with 1:57 left in the game. BIC was forced to foul down the stretch, sending Rector to the line where the Lady Cougars connected on

7-8 free throws in the game's final 1:35, preserving the victory and a trip to the regional tournament, while the Lady Mustangs saw their season come to a close.

Pike led the Lady Mustangs with 18 points while Holly Dempsey and Miller finished with 14 and 13 points respectively. Flannigan closed out the Lady Mustang attack with 11 points. BIC was 5-10 from the charity stripe and hit three treys.

Rector got a game high 21 points from Calhoun while Dement drilled four three pointers on her way to a 17 point night. Crawford finished with 12 while Dodd added 11. The Lady Cougars made just 13-25 foul shots, but hit eight of their last 10 attempts. Rector drained nine three pointers on the evening.