Jan. 23—A win is a win, and South Decatur will take it. The Lady Cougars (11-10, 4-2 MHC) did not have their best outing of the season Tuesday against MHC foe Edinburgh, but South continued to battle through the struggles until the final second.
In that final second, Taylor Somers made a play to give the Lady Cougars a chance to close out a win. With :02.8 to play in the fourth quarter, South Head Coach Kristen Hicks drew up a play for a final shot.
The shot attempt did not go down, but Taylor Somers rebounded the ball and was fouled on the putback attempt. With :00 on the clock, the sophomore toed the charity stripe and drained the free throw to lift the Lady Cougars to the 37-36 victory.
The Lady Lancers held a slim 11-10 lead after the first quarter. Makayla Somers and Taylor Somers both scored four points for South. Paige McQueen had the other bucket for the Lady Cougars.
Edinburgh (8-12, 0-4 MHC) added to the lead in the second quarter and led 23-18 at the half. Makayla Somers scored five of South’s eight points. Dalilah Martin scored two points, and Makayla Puckett added a free throw.
South’s balanced attack in the third quarter saw the Lady Cougars cut the deficit to 33-32 after three quarters. McQueen hit a 3-pointer to get the Lady Cougars going in the second half and led South with five points in the quarter. Taylor Somers had two buckets. Martin added three points and Makayla Somers scored two points.
In the final eight minutes, South held Edinburgh to just three points. Taylor Somers opened the scoring in the final quarter for South and Martin’s bucket knotted the game at 36-36, setting up Taylor Somers’ big moment at the free throw line. Her free throw with no time on the clock sealed the road win 37-36.
For South, Taylor Somers and Makayla Somers both had 11 points and eight rebounds. McQueen (seven rebounds) and Martin both had seven points. Puckett added one point, six rebounds and four assists.
Contact Aaron Kirchoff at aaron.kirchoff@greensburgdailynews.com.
