LAURINBURG — Poor timing cost the Lady Scots their second conference win on Tuesday. The Lady Scots led Pinecrest three out of the four quarters but an 11-2 run to start the final eight minutes by the Lady Patriots allowed them to pick up the 44-38 victory.
Both teams got off to a slow start in the first quarter as they combined for 14 points and eight turnovers. With a slim 8-6 lead at the start of the second quarter, the Lady Scots quickly found themselves playing catch up as Pinecrest as the Lady Patriots went on a 7-0 run.
The Lady Scots Niaria Leach made a trip to the free throw line, making both shots to trigger a surge in her team. Back-to-back turnovers by Pinecrest left to the door open for the Lady Scots as they finished out the quarter on a 11-0 run capped by a three-point jumper by Amaya Pegues to end the half.
With the three-point bucket from Pegues the Lady Scots found themselves in the locker room with a 21-15 lead. The Lady Scots held onto their lead through the third quarter, but Pinecrest managed to gain some ground and cut the lead to just four, 30-26.
Pinecrest closed the gap to tie the game at 30 after a travel by the Lady Scots. The Lady Patriots then went on a 7-0 run to take their second lead of the game. A trip to the free-throw line by freshman Asjah Swindell finally put some additional points on the board for the Lady Scots.
With just over two minutes left to play, Lady Scots head coach Mallarie Snow called a timeout. The plan worked as the Lady Scots defense forced a travel by Pinecrest, but a turnover gave the Lady Patriots back the ball. Things went from bad to worse as the Lady Scots Khasiya Sellers was given a technical foul on the Pinecrest inbound.
Pinecrest split the shot to hold a six-point lead, 38-32, but the Lady Scots were still very much in the game. A basket by Nautika Moore and a pair of free-throws from Leach had the Lady Scots within striking distance, 38-36. A steal and two made free throws increased Pinecrest’s lead back to four.
The back and forth between the two teams continued, but four points from the line to close out the game made the difference for Pinecrest and saw the Lady Scots drop their fifth Southeastern conference game of the season.
With the loss, the Lady Scots move to 7-10 overall and 1-5 in SEC play. Pinecrest moves to 11-7 and 4-2 in SEC play. The Lady Scots close out a busy week against Hoke on Friday at home, tip off for that game will be 6 p.m.
Amber Hatten can be reached at 910-506-3170.
