The Lady Tigers came back from double digit deficits twice this past week but couldn’t quite reel in a tough Livingston squad as they fell to 3-6 on the season with a 53-49 loss to the Lady Wildcats in Smithville.
A listless first half left the Lady Tigers at the short end of a 30-20 score at the half. However, DeKalb came out swinging in the third quarter, drawing to within two points in third while holding their guests without a single point for six-straight minutes. But, like a yo-yo, the lead again sprang to 10 by the beginning of the fourth as the Lady Tigers were unable to convert on point-blank opportunities. The eight points DeKalb scored to close their deficit to two in third proved to be the only eight points they would score in the quarter while their guests again found the basket.
After weathering the storm, the Lady Tigers regrouped and made yet another run, eliminating the Lady Wildcat lead by the latter stages of the game. Leading the charge was last year’s leading scorer, Kadee Ferrell who has been sidelined most of the season with a leg injury. She hit 12 of her team-high 18-points in the fourth. She was coming off back-to-back 10-point performances in the past two games as the Lady Tiger lane slasher has begun finding her game again. She was aided in the late run by Emme Colwell who went for 14 on the night.
However, late turnovers and a frustrating Livingston press stalled the Lady Tiger run, allowing the Lady Wildcats to escape with the win.
With the loss, the Lady Tigers head to Daytona Beach, Fla., to play in a holiday tournament and remain hopeful they will be able to rebound in the coming year. Last season the Lady Tigers made the state championships for the first time since 1965. However, this year, a series of injuries have left the DeKalb squad looking to regain the swagger from last year.
In the girls game, DC trailed 14 to 9 after the 1st period, 30 to 20 at halftime, and 36 to 28 after the 3rd period before falling 53 to 49 to the Lady Wildcats.
Kadee Ferrell scored 16, Emme Colwell 14, Kenzie France and Megan Walker each with 6, Mya Ruch 4, and Megan Cantrell with 3.