Lady Outlaws lose battle with Junction City

The girls basketball team suffered a tough 37-26 loss at home to Junction City on Tuesday, January 19.

JC jumped out with an early 4-0 lead and held the Lady Outlaws scoreless for four-and-a-half minutes. Danelle Allen got Sisters back in the game when she drilled a big three and closed the Tiger lead to 4-3.

Chelsie McConville and Susie Ruettgers dished out assists to Nicole Meadors and Marin Allen, respectively, for two more buckets and with 45 seconds left in the quarter the Outlaws took a 7-4 lead. Allen followed with a drive to the basket for a lay-in to push Sisters to a 9-4 advantage. The Tigers hit a bucket at the buzzer to close the Outlaw lead to three at 9-6 at the close of the first period.

Sisters had a rough second quarter. Both Marin Allen and Meadors were hurt and removed from the game for a short period of time. The Tigers outscored the Outlaws 12-6 in the quarter and at the half were up 18-15.

The Outlaws battled back in the third and midway through the quarter regained the lead at 21-20. JC poured on the offense and went on a 9-0 run at the end of the quarter to push to a 29-21 advantage.

Sisters got two quick points at the free throw line from Taylor Nieri at the start of the fourth quarter and did not score again until there was just over one minute left on the clock. Nieri hit a three-point shot to pull the Outlaws to within nine at 35-26. The Tigers hit one last bucket to win the game by 11.

Marin Allen scored six points, Nicole Meadors scored five and both Danelle Allen and Susie Ruettgers contributed four. Taylor Nieri scored all five of her points, and all of Sisters fourth quarter points, in the fourth.

Junction City's Krista Muncino had 12 points and Whitney Osborn scored 10.

Coach Kevin Cotner said, "We went through the motions tonight and I felt like we played passionless basketball. We had an opportunity to seize the moment, and we were not ready for the task at hand. I thought that mental toughness and passion were the difference in this game. I am disappointed in how we opened up this three-game homestand."

Sisters was to host Cottage Grove on Tuesday, January 26, and will host Marist on Friday, January 29.