The DCHS Lady Tiger basketball team handed the Cannon County Lionettes a 51-44 whoopin’ Friday night in Smithville.

The win marked the first time the Lady Tigers had defeated the Lionettes in Smithville since 1999, and also represents the first time the team has started the season 3-0 in district play since 1982.

Cannon County came out strong, jumping to a 15-6 lead at the end of the first, and maintaining a 21-15 advantage at the half-time buzzer. DeKalb came out of the locker room for the second half ready to play, however, taking the Lionettes by surprise with a counterattack that sent the Lady Tigers into the final period with a 31-30 lead after an epic third quarter battle.

The two teams swapped the lead continuously in the fourth until DCHS, with the score tied at 39-39 with two minutes to go in the game, rallied again in the final minutes, ensuring a 51-44 win.

Hannah Panter and Emme Colwell scored 16 points each for DeKalb, while Lydia Brown put in nine. Macy Hedge added six to the tiger scorecard, and Mya Ruch with scored four.

The DCHS Lady Tigers defeated York Institute last week as well, in a close 45-40 game in Jamestown Tuesday night.

York led DeKalb 10-9 at the end of the first period in the defensive barnburner, but DeKalb battled back to a 19-18 advantage at the end of the half. The Lady Tigers held onto a 31-30 lead at the beginning of the fourth period, but increased the margin to 45-40 before the final buzzer for the win.

Hannah Panter led the Lady Tiger offense with 12 points, hitting three three-point shots. Lydia Brown and Macy Hedge scored 10 points each in the contest, while Madison Parsley added seven. Mya Ruch scored three points, Sophie Cripps put in two, and Emme Colwell scored one.

The Lady Tigers, now 6-3 on the season and 3-0 in the district, will face the Warren County Pioneers Friday night in Smithville. Tipoff is at 6 p.m.