Lady Titans Dominate Second Half In Win Over Burgin
Samuel Warren
Herald Staff
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The Mercer County Lady Titans (2-4) and Burgin Lady Bulldogs (1-4) met for the first time this season on Monday, Dec. 16, on Chris Souder Court. Mercer County came into the game on a three game losing streak, in which they never surpassed 50 points. Burgin on the other hand had picked up their first win, a 66-13 victory over Oneida Baptist, just two days prior.
Mercer jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead after a 3-pointer from eighth-grader Annie Releford and a tough basket at the rim from Reese Ransdell. Burgin struggled to find open shots early on and scored their first four points at the foul line. Mercer senior Kate Carlton grabbed an offensive rebound, and spun directly into a shot off of the glass to maintain Mercer’s lead. Burgin began to take advantage of the Titans defense not getting back quickly and senior Gabby Thompson finished a breakaway for her first two points.
Izzie Carlton made this basket during Mercer’s 75-36 win over Burgin on Monday, Dec. 16. Carlton finished the game with 22 points, 10 rebounds and five steals. (Image: The Harrodsburg Herald/Samuel Warren).
Burgin seemed determined to win the game after one quarter of play, but the points weren’t on the board, and they trailed 10-6 after one. Senior Jemma Jenkins made a shot at the close of the quarter, but the buzzer sounded just before she released.
Ashton Lester avoided Annie Releford at the top of the key. (Image: The Harrodsburg Herald/Samuel Warren).
During the last two minutes of the first quarter and in the second, the game became rather physical. Both teams were pressing in the halfcourt and jumping passes and every player on the court wanted to get involved in loose ball situations, it was ugly. It seemed Mercer’s Alexa Wade spent more time on the floor than her feet. Burgin’s Kynlee Sexton was able to find calm in all the madness, grab an offensive rebound, and go straight back up for two off of the glass. Wade retaliated with a strong finish at the rim and an and-one, but Thompson drained a long two and Lester nailed a 3-pointer from the top of the key to keep the Lady Bulldogs in contention.
