Dan Eyrich, AP Sports
The EP Lady Panthers felt good about their chances to collect their sixth win of the season as the traveled to Mendota on Thursday night to take on the 3-22 Lady Trojans. After coming off a hard fought win over Morrison on Monday EP looked to sweep the season series against a struggling Mendota squad. The hosts, however were up for the battle as both teams struggled to score against the opposing defense.
Mendota used a three quarter court press to rattle the Panthers from the outset. In a first half filled with turnovers, the Lady Panthers managed to make more of their possessions than the host Trojans and eked out a 10-4 first quarter lead highlighted by a 3-point basket by Ashlyn Johnson.
The second eight minutes saw the Panthers rack up twice as many turnovers as points but they managed to keep the lead as each team added just five points to their first quarter totals for a 15-9 half time score.
A three-ball by Lauren Abbott near the start of the third quarter gave EP an 18-11 advantage. The Panthers then opened an 8 point lead by the end of the quarter going up 25-17.
In the final period EP found their footing offensively and cut down on their turnovers against the Trojan pressure as another 3-ball by Abbott followed by a pair of free throws pushed the EP advantage to 32-19 with four minutes left. Mendota didn’t fold the tent as they went on a 5-0 run and had a chance to cut the Panther lead to 6 at the foul line but could not convert with 1:17 remaining in the game. A layup run off an offensive weave by Johnson sealed the win for the Panthers.
Junior, Lauren Abbott had 14 for EP including a pair of tres and a 4 for 4 night at the free throw line. Aubrey Huisman had 7 and Ashlyn Johnson contributed 6.
Ava Eddy and Cassie Gonzalez each had 8 for the Trojans.
Coach Chris Brown said his team is improving and getting stronger. “We still are having to many unforced turnovers but the positive note I feel like we are getting a bit healthier. Lauren Abbott has has strung together some nice games for us as she has been getting healthier as well, the addition of getting Aubrey Misfeldt back has helped deepen our guard play which has been nice since Aubrey Huisman has found the bench lately with foul trouble. We face a tough Princeton team Monday where we will need to take better care of the ball as they are playing some very good basketball down the stretch.”
The F/S lost their contest 29-20.
The 6-17 Lady Panthers will close out their regular season on Monday when they host Princeton.
