Lady Outlaws take fourth at Phoenix Tournament

The Lady Outlaws lost their first game of the Phoenix Tournament but went on to win back-to-back games for a fourth-place finish. The tournament was held Thursday through Saturday, December 15-17.

Sisters kept pace with a much bigger Cascade Christian (CC) team in their first game of the tourney, and at the close of the first quarter were down by just two, 15-13. At the half Sisters pulled to a one-point advantage with the score 25-24. It continued to be a close, tight game that ultimately came down to shots at the free throw line which the Outlaws weren't able to hit, and the Outlaws fell to CC 45-39. Sisters was 6/17 from the line and Cascade Christian hit 15/21.

Taylor Nieri led the Outlaws with 15 points, followed by Lauryn Chauncey who finished the game with six. Samantha Kaiser and Harley Rowe contributed four points each.

The Outlaws went on to edge out Eagle Point (EP) 38-36. Sisters dominated the boards and court and made six consecutive shots in a row, including a big three from Taylor Nieri, to jump out to a big lead and close out the first quarter 17-3.

Sisters' defense was strong and forced EP to turn the ball over numerous times. In the fourth quarter EP made some adjustments, applied pressure and came back strong to cut the lead, but Sisters maintained their composure and held on for the win.

Elise Herron was Sisters' top scorer with 13 points. Samantha Kaiser and Carissa Kernutt each contributed seven points and Taylor Nieri added six.

Sisters slipped by Newport in their last game of the tournament and recorded a 50-49 win in overtime.

"I was very proud of how the team kept their confidence and composure down the line," said Coach Julianne Horner. "They believed they would win and never strayed from doing what it took to get the win."

The Outlaws did a great job of finding Nieri for the open shot. Taylor scored 28 points, which tied the school record for most points scored in a game. Nieri scored eight of Sisters' 10 first-quarter points and nine of their 11 second-quarter points, which included two threes.

Carissa Kernutt and Savannah Spear each contributed six points in the match-up. Spear kept her composure in overtime and went 2/2 from the line. Samantha Kaiser scored all five of her points in the third quarter.

Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, December 13, Sisters lost 63-50 to Madras. Sisters worked hard and kept pace with Madras at the start of the game and at the end of the first quarter were down by three, 18-15, and at the half were still down by only three, 30-27.

The Outlaws had a tough third quarter and only scored eight, while Madras put up 19 points. Sisters played a good fourth quarter and outscored Madras 15-14, but just couldn't make up the deficit from the third quarter.

Nieri scored 14 points for the Outlaws, followed by Elise Herron and Lauryn Chauncey who each finished with seven points. Jacobie Petterson and Samantha Kaiser each logged six points.

Horner said, "The game was within our reach, but we just could not come together in the third quarter. We had some very good shots and worked hard on defense, but we could not get things turned around until the fourth quarter. We are doing many things very well and will continue to make the mental adjustments needed to get the score to reflect the effort we are putting out on the floor."

Sisters will host the annual Holiday Tournament Tuesday through Thursday, December 27-29.