Truman did what Truman does during Thursday’s opening game at the Hy-Vee Shootout presented by Metro Sports at Avila University.
The undefeated Patriots girls relied on junior Becca Jonas inside and buckled down defensively against Bishop Miege to erase a halftime deficit in a 46-38 win.
“We weren’t really letting them get set up on defense (in the second half),” junior guard Abby Hix. “We were passing it around really well and finishing really well, so we just took it to them.”
With the victory, Truman ran its record to 8-0 and posted a signature win for the program.
“They have the best coach in the city (Terry English), so anytime you beat a team like that it’s a big win and an important win,” Truman coach Steve Cassity said. “It’s one of those wins you can hang your hat on during season as a real quality performance.”
The Stags, 3-1, who also entered the game unbeaten, led 19-16 at halftime behind a barrage of three-pointers.
Senior Lexi Hughes, who signed with Missouri State last month, hit two of the Stags’ five first-half bombs, but the well dried up in the second half.
Miege missed its first eight from long range after the break, including all seven in the third quarter as the Patriots powered into the lead.
“I don’t know that it’s anything special that we did,” Cassity said. “It’s just that three-pointers are hard to hit. That’s why you get three points for them I guess.”
By the time Hughes hit another three late in the fourth quarter, Truman’s lead was double digits and proved insurmountable.
Miege wound up shooting 33 percent from the field and only seven for 26 from long range.
Meanwhile, Truman pumped the ball inside to Jonas, who finished with game-highs in points (21) and rebounds (10). The Patriots were 12 for 17 (71 percent) from the field in the second half.
“They did a lot better job in the second half getting the ball to Jonas inside,” English said. “Once we got into foul trouble and lost what little height we had inside, we were in trouble.”
Hix finished with 14 points and a game-high five assists, while Hughes led Miege with nine points.
After the game, Patriots guard senior Sandra Chiles was presented a $1,000 scholarship from Hy-Vee, which presents a scholarship to one boy and one girls who participates in the Hy-Vee Shootout.
To reach Tod Palmer, call 816-234-4389 or send email to tpalmer@kcstar.com. Follow him at twitter.com/todpalmer
To reach Tod Palmer, call 816-234-4389 or send email to <a href="mailto:tpalmer@kcstar.com">tpalmer@kcstar.com</a>. Follow him at twitter.com/todpalmer
