(Avoca) Fourteen straight points at the end of the 1st half propelled CAM to a statement victory Tuesday night in Avoca. The Cougars downed Class 2A #6 AHSTW 59-54.
Depth and scrappiness were two big factors on CAM’s side as they erased a 31-21 deficit early in the 2nd quarter and never trailed after halftime. Marissa Spieker (11), Reese Snyder (11), and Mallory Behnken (10) all scored in double figures while Zoey Baylor added eight points and freshman Eva Steffensen had seven.
Neither team ever led by more than four points in the first quarter, but the second frame brought some momentum swings. Claire Denning’s hot three-point shooting some easy baskets in transition by Claire Harris and Kailey Jones helped the home team build the lead. Their pressure defense was another key ingredient in turning a 19-17 deficit into a 31-21 lead. CAM quieted the storm and closed the 1st half with a flurry of their own. Marissa Spieker hit a couple of perimeter shots and Zoey Baylor went 4/5 from the free-throw line to help CAM turn the tide. The Cougar’s improved ball security late in the half restored the game to their favor.
AHSTW had comeback chances in the 2nd half, but never fully swung the momentum. They tied the game at 37-all early in the 3rd and were within one possession in the final couple of minutes. Spieker sank two big free throws at the end to send the final margin to five points.
Claire Harris scored 16 of her 19 in the first half for the Lady Vikes, but fouled out down the stretch. Claire Denning and Kailey Jones each scored 16 points. AHSTW falls to 1-1 on the season and will play at Audubon on Tuesday, December 1st.
1-0 CAM will cherish the big victory up until the start of conference play which comes on December 1st against Boyer Valley.
