Girls Basketball Lose Nail-Biter To St. Clair In Conference Rematch

The Lady Eagles were edged out 46-39 by St. Clair in a conference rematch on Friday, Feb. 2.

Despite the loss, head coach Jordan Flora is proud of his team for not quitting and being able to erase a 13-point deficit after halftime. But he also recognized that to win close battles like these, Sullivan needed to “value each possession.” He explained, “We turned the ball over way more than we should have. You know, they played hard; they’re big, and we just got timid with the basketball and didn’t take care of the ball late.”

Sullivan soared ahead to an 8-2 lead at the start of the game. Hayli Venable and Karlee Head sank three-pointers, and Cora Shetley seized a layup.

The Lady Bulldogs eventually clawed themselves back up by the end of the first quarter and were ahead by 13–10 when the buzzer sounded.

Sullivan struggled to recover their momentum in the second period, as missed shots, steals and turnovers set them back with a 13-point deficit. 

After a weak showing in the first half,  Sullivan fired on all cylinders throughout the third, drawing up 17 points and holding St. Clair to just 5.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Karlee Head tied it 32-32 with a three-pointer. Lady Bulldog Emma Talleur then broke the tie with two free throws, but Head took it back by sinking another triple.

The lead continued to go back and forth, but once Lady Bulldog Lila Hinson sailed in a three-pointer, it seemed that Sullivan had begun to lose grip on the game. 

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