Lady Pioneers doomed by slow start

December 11, 2021

by Dustin Semore, Sports Information Director

PARAGOULD, Ark. – The Crowley's Ridge mid-season gauntlet continued on Saturday afternoon when Pensacola Christian (Fla.) College completed a season sweep of the Lady Pioneers, picking up a 75-55 victory. 

CRC (4-7) had a tough time getting started, bucketing a mere seven points in the first quarter. Only two Lady Pioneers converted field goals in the opening 10 minutes, with the team going 2-18 to start the weekend matchup. Only slightly improving into the second quarter, the Lady 'Neers were 3-15 with Mickayla Smith's 3-pointer in the second quarter the only long ball in the half for the home team.

Meanwhile, Pensacola Christian (7-2) bolstered a 34-15 lead into intermission. The Lady Pioneers held their own at the boards in the first half, pulling down 25 rebounds to the Lady Eagles' 26.

Coach Brad Phillips had a halftime speech that sparked a fire under his charge, with the girls in green storming out to more than double their point total with a 20-point third quarter. Unfortunately for Crowley's Ridge, Pensacola Christian exited the locker room with a 29-point quarter of their own. Continuing their better play in the fourth quarter, the Lady Pioneers collected 20 more points, but the slow start proved too costly with the Lady Eagles getting a 75-55 win.

Lindsey Browning was two rebounds away from a double-double by scoring a team-high 11 points and pulling down eight rebounds. Conversely, Madison Sellars was three points shy of the double-double mark with 11 rebounds and seven points.

Up Next

Crowley's Ridge will travel to the Gateway to the West for a meeting with the reigning NAIA Player of the Week, Grace Beyer, and her Eutectics of the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. Tipoff on Tuesday, December 14 is set a 5:30 p.m.