A stronger second half defense almost proved to be the difference, but composure in the end is what decided the outcome.

Middle Creek used a stronger second half press that helped cause turnovers which were converted into points, but composure by Cary in the closing moments provided the difference as it helped them cling to a 34-31 Tri-8 conference win Friday night at home.

The Lady Mustangs got the early 4-2 advantage after Rachel Harry hit her jumper at the 5:28 mark of the first.

CHS answered back tying the game at 4 as Freshman Paige Kochuyt scored inside off an assist by Sophomore Marlie Baker.  Then they retook the lead, 6-4, as Freshman Elizabeth Rodruqiez hit a jumper after receiving a pass from fellow Freshman Claire Ruddiman with 3:37 left in the quarter.

Rodruqiez had the hot hand as the quarter came to a close, her latest shot coming with :53 seconds left, gave the Lady Imps a 10-7 lead as the quarter ended.

Quarter two was all Cary as they outscored MC by the 10-2 margin.

Sophomore Kourtney White hit a jumper at 5:25 giving CHS a 5 point lead, 12-7, then Freshman Tiarra Lyon hit two from the line at the 3:49 mark making it a 14-7 game.

Lyon closed out the quarter scoring back-to-back lay-ups :23 seconds apart helping the Lady Imps take a 11-point advantage into the locker room at the half.

MCHS scored the first two baskets of the third quarter as Harry and Courtney White scored :11 seconds apart cutting the Cary lead to 7, 20-13.

CHS answered right back getting baskets from K. White and Baker to extend the Lady Imp lead back out to 11.  Following C. White hitting one of two from the line, Kochuyt put Cary out to its largest advantage of the game, 12, at 26-14 with 3:43 left in the third.

The Lady Mustangs worked it back down to a 6-point seperation after Mary Johnston scored 5 straight points, first hitting a three from the left side then converting a lay-up coming off a steal by Sarah Woynicz to make it 26-19 with 3:15 left in the quarter.  C. White hit one of two from the stripe to make it 26-20 with 1:47 left.

Lyon scored from inside after getting the rebound off her own three-point attempt making it 28-20 after the end of three quarters of play.

Following two free-throws by Kochuyt making it 30-20 to open the final quarter, Middle Creek got hot from beyond the arc to cut into Cary's lead.

Tori Candler hit from three-point range at 6:28, cutting the lead to 7, then after Sadie Catlett hit one of two from the line, Johnston hit from long range, off an assist from Candler, to cut the lead to 3 points, 30-27, with 5:20 remaining.  Johnston cut it to a point with her lay-up just :35 seconds later.

In the end it was K. White to come through for the Lady Imps as she scored the deciding points in the contest. 

Following a jumper by K. White with 1:05 left giving CHS a 3-point lead, 32-29, Amy Pittman answered with a jumper of her own making it 32-31, CHS. 

With :36 second left, Candler fouled K. White sending her to the line to shoot two.  White hit both from the line giving the Lady Imps the cushion needed to go home with a 34-31 win over Lady Mustangs.

Final Scoring Summary:

Middle Creek:

M. Johnston - 11 points; C. White - 9 points; R. Harry - 6 points; T. Candler - 2 points; A. Pittman - 2 points; S. Catlett - 1 point

Team Stats: Total FG % - 17.4%; 3-point % - 16.7%; Free Throw % - 36.4%

Cary:

K. White - 8 points; E. Rodruqiez - 8 points; P. Kochuyt - 8 points; T. Lyon - 8 points; M. Baker - 2 points

Team Stats: Total FG % - 25.0%; 3-point % - 0.0%; Free Throw % - 57.1%