The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

High School Sports

Discussion

January 7, 2013

Defense leads Rolla girls past Joplin

By Richard Polen Globe Sports Writer

— Rolla’s defensive pressure helped produce a 24-point second quarter as the Lady Bulldogs defeated Joplin 67-42 in the Ozark Conference opener for both teams Monday night at Young Gymnasium.

Gabrielle Otte, a 5-foot-8 forward, scored 14 of her 18 points in the first half as Rolla built a 40-17 halftime lead. Madison Collier, a junior forward, came off the bench and scored 12 points.

“I knew Joplin was going to be pretty tough, but I knew with our defensive pressure we could get some easy baskets,” said Rolla head coach Bryce Swafford. “We knew coming in we had to take them out of their comfort zone.”

Joplin sophomore guard Bailey Taylor scored 12 of her 19 points in the second half. Jacqueline Lieurance scored nine points for the Eagles and Kelsey Johnson had six points on two 3-pointers.

Rolla led 10-8 late in the first quarter before three consecutive 3-pointers, including two by junior guard Shannon McCaul, started a 24-4 Rolla run.

The two teams traded baskets for most of the second half. Johnson and Taylor each had a 3-pointer for the Eagles in the fourth quarter.

“We’re doing things that don’t show up in the newspaper,” said Joplin head coach Dustin Larsen. “We had our best night of defensive rebounding. We’re just starting to do some little things.”

Taylor scored on an offensive rebound and twice drove through Rolla’s defense for baskets in the second half.

“We’re still learning how to be aggressive and score,” Larsen said. “Our kids are getting more confidence and learning to play.”

Text Only
High School Sports
Facebook
Poll

Parents could give up their babies without legal consequences up to 45 days after birth under a bill sent to Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon. The “safe harbor” extension from five days to 45 days could prevent child abuse, say supporters. Should Nixon sign the bill?

Yes.
No.
     View Results
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
NDN Video
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools $1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel? Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting