Lady Leopards lose in thriller

Missing free throws early will always decide the outcomes in close ball games.

Sulphur Springs wiped away Liberty-Eylau's winning streak at the Rader Dome, defeating the Lady Leopards, 54-53.

"Like I told our girls, we need the same energy every night," Liberty-Eylau head coach Aquanetta Watson said. "We need it from all 12 girls, from the starters to the bench. When you don't approach each team like you approached a previous opponent, it shows. I think the lack of energy and lack of enthusiasm is what hurt us early. It's like no one was up for the game."

The Leopards forced 13 turnovers in the first half but turned the ball over 11 times the final two periods.

The Lady Wildcats used their aggressive drives to the cup to force fouls on L-E down the stretch.

Sulphur Springs shot 17 free throws in the second half, making eight from the charity stripe.

"We have to approach every game like we want to win it," Watson said. "We can't think one team is better than the other. There were some really bright spots for us on defense. Daizia George stepped up big for us off the bench. She caused some crucial turnovers for us. Daycoria Meadows made some plays for us down the stretch as well. We have to find a way to win these 1-point games."

George finished with six points and four rebounds, while Meadows ended the game with eight points and six rebounds.

Keeley Norris led Liberty-Eylau offensively with 13 points and seven boards.

Skylier Bailey, who finished with six points and four rebounds, went coast to coast off a defensive rebound to tie the game at 37-all.

Sulphur Springs held their first lead of the game when Danielle Godbolt finessed a quick putback.

The Lady Wildcats clawed back after halftime.

"We're going to watch film and take away some positive things for our next game," Watson said. "We're going to take all the negative and cram it in my head. We're going to try to fix our mistakes before our next game."

The Leopards held a slight lead over Sulphur Springs, 24-21, at intermission.

Norris controlled the glass for the Leopards in the first half. Norris cleaned the boards in the first two periods collecting five rebounds.

The Leopards held a one score lead for much of the opening period.

Liberty-Eylau defeated Sulphur Springs in the junior varsity game, 33-32.

The Leopards host Gilmer, with the opening tip at 2 p.m.

#

Sulphur Springs 10 9 22 13 - 54

Liberty-Eylau 9 15 18 11 - 53

SULPHUR SPRINGS (54): Porter 7 4-9 20, Rose 0 0-1 0, Godbolt 6 0-0 13, Lindley 3 0-1 6, Tanton 5 5-12 15. TEAM TOTALS 21 9-23 16 54.

LIBERTY-EYLAU (53): Howard 4 0-0 9, Block 2 0-2 5, Ke. Norris 6 1-1 13, Carson 1 0-0 2, George 3 0-2 6, Thomas 1 0-2 2, Meadows 3 2-4 8, Ka. Norris 1 0-0 2, S. Bailey 3 0-4 6. TEAM TOTALS 25 3-15 16 53.

3-point goals: SS-Porter 2, Godbolt. L-E-Howard, Block.

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