Exeter clips McAuley in Warrior Classic

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January 29, 2013

Exeter clips McAuley in Warrior Classic

By Richard Polen Globe Sports Writer The Joplin Globe Tue Jan 29, 2013, 12:04 AM CST

— Hannah Henson sank two free throws with 39 seconds left and lifted Exeter past McAuley Catholic 25-23 in the McAuley Catholic Warrior Classic on Monday night.

Henson, who led Exeter with 10 points, made two 3-pointers in the first half and was 4-for-5 at the free-throw line. Victoria Foley led McAuley with eight points.

In other tournament games, Miller’s girls defeated College Heights 51-46 and Springfield Catholic’s boys upended Carl Junction’s junior varsity 67-30.

Exeter’s largest lead was nine points at 16-7 midway through the second quarter.

“This is the fourth time we’ve seen them, and we won the first three, so I knew it was going to be pretty tight,” said Exeter head coach Jason Cole. “Ability-wise, we’re pretty even.

“We’re 10-5, but we’re not going to score a lot of points,” he said. “We’ve been able defensively to give ourselves a chance to win.”

Exeter broke a 7-7 tie by scoring the first nine points of the second quarter, but McAuley rallied with a quick six-point run late in the first half that included two baskets by Katie Carr, including one off of a steal four seconds before halftime to cut Exeter’s lead to 17-13.

McAuley pulled to within 23-21 on a basket by Foley with 5:25 to play, then tied the game on a basket by Kambry Wagner with 2:40 remaining.

On its last possession, McAuley had two field-goal attempts but was unable to tie score and force overtime.

College Heights held a 30-25 lead over Miller early in the third quarter before the Cardinals scored the next nine points, including a basket inside by Jessica McAdams with 1:33 left that gave Miller a 34-30 lead. McAdams led the Cardinals with 20 points.

Miller, 11-7, led 45-37 before back-to-back 3-pointers by Kirsty Green and Bre Shores pulled the Cougars to within 45-43 with 1:58 left.

“We shot almost 50 percent from 3-point range and 27 percent from the free-throw line. Explain that one,” said College Heights head coach John Blankenship. “Our biggest problem tonight was we gave up 25 offensive rebounds.”

Both teams struggled at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter. College Heights, 4-13, made one of seven at the line until Green sank two free throws with 17 seconds left. Miller was two for 11 at the line in the final period.