It was close until the end, but turnovers and a less than stellar defensive performance proved to be the difference in a 47-57 loss to the Class 5A Briar Woods Falcons Thursday in the Twila Showalter Holiday Classic at Spotswood High School.
“We lost our identity a little bit today,” Lady Cougar Head Coach Scott Ratcliff said. “I think they out-rebounded us. We have to play better defense for sure. Our goal is to hold teams to 40 points or less. We’re capable of doing that, but we have to rebound better and get our shooting percentage up. We feel like 50 points should win a ball game.”
Briar Woods took an early 18-15 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Cougars led at times during the first and second quarters, and outscored Briar Woods 13-12 in the second quarter to trail by just two points, 28-30, at the halftime break. The Falcons outscored the Lady Cougars 13-9 in the third quarter, taking a 43-37 lead into the final period.
Pulaski County was able to add 10 points to the scoreboard in the fourth period, but the Falcons added 14 to earn the 57-47 win. They hit six of eight free throws down the stretch to pull away for the final margin and were 12-of-17 from the charity strip overall. The Lady Cougars hit 10-of-15 free throws. Each team hit five three-pointers.
Keslyn Secrist and Hannah Keefer led the Lady Cougars with 12 points each. Paige Huff hit three big three-pointers on her way to 11 points. Jaden Lawson added four points. Reese Nolen and Tori Vest each hit a long shot for three points each. Morgan Vest scored two points in the loss.
Briar Woods was led by Hope Drake with 17 points, including three three-pointers.
“Hey, that was a good team we just played, but we need to do better,” Coach Ratcliff said. “We’re not a bad basketball team, but we need to realize that no matter who we play, we’re going to have a target on our backs. We need to bring our best every night.”
With the loss the Lady Cougars fall to 8-3 on the season. They’ll be back in action Tuesday, January 3, when they travel to Roanoke to take on the Hidden Valley Titans. Hidden Valley is currently 2-8 with wins over Rockbridge County and William Byrd. Friday, January 6, the Lady Cougars travel to Montgomery County to take on the 5-5 Blacksburg Bruins.