VERSAILLES – The Versailles Lady Tigers unleashed a smothering second half defensive effort that completely silenced Delphos St John’s, leading the Tigers to a 51-28 Midwestern Athletic Conference win.
After allowing the Lady Blue Jays 22 points in the first half, Versailles would only surrender six in the final 16 minutes of the game.
The Lady Tigers held a 28-22 halftime lead. St John’s scored the first basket of the third quarter. During a stoppage in play Versailles girls basketball coach Jacki Stonebraker urged her girls to “play with a sense of urgency.” The Lady Tigers responded.
The Lady Blue Jays would not score again until early in the fourth. Though the Versailles offense was not outstanding the Tigers did manage to expand their lead, going into the final stanza up 35-24.
The fourth quarter found the Versailles defense just as stingy and the offense now began to click as well. St John’s had done a good job of controlling the fast-break opportunities of the Lady Tigers for most of the game, but a few more chances developed in the period. Versailles outscored the Lady Blue Jays 16-4 in the final eight minutes.
“It was a fun second half,” Coach Stonebraker said. “Thought the girls were having fun. Got a 10 second call and a couple other calls. Got some traps in our press. Thought the girls started to have some fun and smile out there.
“Kami Ording made some nice 3s,” Stonebraker said. “Kami McEldowney played a nice floor game, got inside, shot the 3-ball well and was being a good floor leader.
“We’re like a roller coaster this season. We play really good in stretches … then go three minutes without scoring.”
The Lady Tigers were lead in scoring with 15 from McEldowney and 12 from Danielle Winner. Delphos St John’s had a balanced attack with Madilynn Schulte with nine, Jessica Geise eight, Hayleigh Bacome seven and Betty Vorst with four.
The victory advanced Versailles to 5-0 on the season and 2-0 in the MAC. Delphos St John’s fell to 2-1 overall and 0-1 in MAC play.
