Lady Outlaws lose to Philomath and are eliminated from playoffs

The Lady Outlaws put up a good fight against Philomath at home on Saturday, February 26, but just couldn't pull it all together at the end. Sisters lost to Philomath in a final score of 49-42 which ended their state playoff run.

The Outlaws had a tough start in the first quarter, but when Taylor Nieri grabbed her own offensive board and put it back in for two, the team got fired up. Chelsie McConville drilled a three, and after four minutes of play the Outlaws took a 7-4 lead. Great plays from Carissa Kernutt, Whitney Hansen and Nieri pushed Sisters to a 13-6 advantage. Philomath battled back and in the last minute of the quarter went on a 6-0 run to tie the game at 15-15 to close out the quarter.

Sisters held a slim lead the first five minutes of the second period, but Philomath came back with a bucket to tie the game at 19-19. The Lady Warriors held Sisters scoreless the last three minutes of the quarter due to a very effective full-court press. At the half Sisters trailed the Warriors by 11, 30-19.

The Outlaws regrouped at the half and came back in the third to outscore the Warriors 10-6 and cut Philomath's lead to seven.

Early in the fourth, a timely three from Nieri brought the Outlaws to within five points of the Warriors. Sisters cut Philomath's lead to three but the final period really came down to a battle at the line. Philomath went 9/12 and Sisters hit only four of 11 which resulted in the devastating 49-42 loss for the Outlaws.

Taylor Nieri led the Outlaws in scoring with 19 points, Chelsie McConville put up eight and Marin Allen added five.

"The girls took the floor with energy and enthusiasm and did a great job setting the pace and tone of the game in the first quarter," said Coach Julianne Horner. "Philomath turned up the pressure in the second quarter, and we couldn't settle into a controlled offense. I thought the girls brought back energy in the third, but they made some critical mistakes in fouls that set us slightly back in the fourth. We got to within three, but just couldn't get the ball in the basket."

Horner told The Nugget that the Lady Outlaws set high goals for the season and accomplished many of them.

"We wanted to be top three in league and we took the second slot, and we wanted the opportunity for post-season play and we achieved that," said Horner. "The team bonded and worked hard as a unit and became a force to be reckoned with. I am very proud of this team and how far they came together. The leadership the four seniors exemplified and taught all the underclassmen will truly benefit this team in years to come. I am very encouraged by the growth and leadership the younger classmen have shown and am already excited about what next season will bring."