The Lady Bulldogs in the second half went on a scoring drought that lasted for 8:28. They also did not hit a field goal for a span of 14:06. They made only two field goals and scored only 10 points in the second half. And yet, they found a way to win. The answer is pretty simple. Defense! While the offense wasn’t there, the defense held the Lawton High attack to just three fields and 10 points in the final 16 minutes
“The defense was good,” Altus High head coach David Prickett said.” They (the players) have bought into that and took responsibility for it.”
Altus’ first basket since the early portion of the third period came at the hands of Meagan Steen. She banked in a shot that she launched between the free throw line and the top of the circle. That pulled the Lady Bulldogs to within one (26-25) with 27 seconds left in the game.
A bad pass in the backcourt by LHS gave Altus the ball. On a drive to the basket, junior Kiondra Harris was fouled with 6.1 seconds left. She made the front end of the two-shot opportunity to tie the score. Lawton High coach Jackie Barrett then called time out. But that didn’t bother Harris, who calmly knocked down the second free throw to give the Lady Bulldogs a 27-26 lead.
Lawton High rushed the ball up the court. A Kelsi Colvin layup rimmed off. Kendra Suttles rebounded and was fouled at the buzzer by Steen. Suttles, a 6-2 sophomore, had an opportunity to tie or win the game for the Lady Wolverines. However, her first shot on a one-and-one opportunity was short and the game ended.
Lawton High’s 2-3 zone made it hard on the Lady Bulldogs. “That big girl (Suttles) made it hard to score,” Prickett said.”But we found a way to win.”
Altus led in scoring by Kiondra Harris, who had seven points. Suttles scored 21 of Lawton’s 26 points.
Lady Bulldog notes: The game was the final home game for three seniors including Dashaniece Harris, Brittney Tovar and Vivian Briones. “I can’t say enough about Dashaniece and the leadership she has given us.” Prickett said. All of our seniors are good people. You couldn’t ask for any more out of them.”
Altus is now 8-13 on the year. The Lady Bulldogs will close out the regular season at Lawton MacArthur on Friday night.
They will play Edmond Deer Creek in the first round of the regional tournament on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. at Midwest City Carl Albert.
Altus 27, Lawton High 26
Altus
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