The #14 ranked Royse City Lady Bulldogs’ basketball team survived a big Lady Cats’ third quarter and then padded their lead some in the fourth quarter to take a 58-53 win at the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School Tuesday night (January 22).
The Lady Bulldogs outscored the Lady Cats 18-10 in the first quarter and 15-10 in the second quarter to take a 33-20 lead into the half. The Lady Cats rallied in the third quarter outscoring the Lady Bulldogs, 19-7 to cut the Royse City lead to 40-39 after three quarters. Royse City outscored the Lady Cats 18-14 in the fourth quarter to put the game away.
Sadavia Porter led all scorers with 28 points including 3 three-point baskets. Porter also had 2 assists, 2 rebounds, 7 steals and 2 deflections. Autumn Tanton had 14 points. Tanton also had 2 assists, 7 rebounds and 4 steals. Kate Womack had 4 points and 6 rebounds. Kerie Wright hit a three-point basket for 3 points. Latavia Smith scored 2 points. Danielle Godbolt and Nylah Lindley had 1 point each. Godbolt also had 6 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 deflections. Lindley also had a blocked shot, 5 rebounds, 1 steal and and 1 defletion.
Royse City was led by 6-foot freshman guard Maggie Hutka who had 27 points. Coach’s daughter Maci Bookout had 12 points.
The emotional game included a total of 58 fouls, 32 for the Lady Cats and 26 for Royse City. There was also a fight in the third quarter that led to the ejection of a Lady Cat and two technical foul shots for the Lady Bulldogs. The Lady Cats had four players foul out and two others had four fouls at the game’s end. Both teams struggled with their shooting.
The Lady Cats hit 37% of their shots and Royse City 39%. The Lady Cats did made 33% of their three-point attempts hitting 4 of 12. Royse City was 0 for 12 from behind the arc. The Lady Bulldogs did make 55% of the two-point shots. The Lady Cats free throw shooting may well have cost them the game. They made only 13 of 30 for 43%. Royse City made 26-37 for 70%. Royse City out rebounded the Lady Cats 36-27. The Lady Cats had 21 turnovers to 12 for the Lady Bulldogs.
Royse City is now 5-1 in district play and 26-3 for the season. The Lady Cats are 3-3 in district play and 21-6 for the season. The Lady Cats play Lindale Friday at 6:15 p.m. in the SSHS Main Gym.
