Lady Lions struggle against Lady Knights

MLCA loses 55-32 after tough first, fourth quarters

MOSES LAKE — The Lady Lions fell behind early against Sunnyside Christian Tuesday and never could get back in the game.

After being outscored 16-6 in the opening period, Moses Lake Christian Academy charged back in the second quarter.

The effort was sparked by back-to-back fouls by the Lady Knights, the second putting MLCA's Chelsea Allsbrook on the line for two. Allsbrook went 1-for-2. The missed free throw was her only one on her way to earning a team high 10 points on the night.

"We've established this pattern of pulling close in the fourth quarter and then giving up a small run," said MLCA head coach Scott Dietzen. "I think our defense was doing really well until Sunnyside stepped up their offense."

A trio of turnovers, two by Sunnyside Christian, gave the Lady Lions a chance to get back in the game.

Jessica Jachetta took advantage of the second turnover, earning a putback to cut the Lady Knights' lead to 12.

Lindsay Dietzen was the next MLCA player to produce on offense, scoring a putback and then sinking a 3-ball to make it 27-15 with under a minute to play in the half.

Allsbrook concluded the first half scoring for the Lady Lions with another trip to the line.

MLCA went into the locker room trailing by 14.

"Sunnyside really pressured us and we weren't able to take care of that," said the Lady Lions coach. "They really took it to us on the boards. We've got to work on getting position, even when we give up a few inches in height."

The Lady Lions came out aggressive in the third but were not able to take advantage of the chances they created for themselves. Sunnyside Christian committed 7 turnovers in the third period but it was nearly 6 minutes before MLCA could score off of their defensive efforts.

Bethany Verhage pulled up to drop a jump shot off the dribble and had it followed up by a 2-for-2 stint at the line by Heidi Sandberg.

Dietzen connected with Esther Timofeyev for the final field goal of the quarter for MLCA. The bucket pulled MLCA back within 11 and helped the Lady Lions outscore Sunnyside Christian 6-5 in the period.

Allsbrook continued to pressure the Sunnyside Christian defense, taking the ball to the hoop with an assist from Sandberg and earning an and-1. Allsbrook converted the 3-point play to make it 38-26.

"The girls kept coming at it and we just fell a little short," said Dietzen.

It was the last significant play of the game for the Lady Lions.

Dietzen earned 9 points, 7 boards and 4 steals. Timofeyev had 6 points and 3 blocked shots. Jachetta pulled down 5 boards.