Despite a fourth-quarter comeback from the Clinton-Massie Lady Falcons, the McClain Lady Tigers took the win at home Wednesday night in a conference matchup.
McClain started the game off with an intense defense, which allowed the Lady Falcons only 6 points for the first quarter. McClain ran away with a 13-point gain for the period, taking the score 13-6 when the clock ran out.
Clinton-Massie responded to the defensive shutout by scoring multiple points at the start of the second quarter. Malea Montavon fought back with three 3-pointers, securing McClain’s lead by the end of the quarter.
By the half, the scoreboard read 22-15 with the Tigers on top.
The offensive momentum of McClain fed into the second half, with Beth Montgomery scoring layup after layup over Clinton-Massie’s 5-point gain in the third quarter.
By the end of the period, McClain still had their lead at 32-20.
The Lady Falcons made a comeback in the fourth quarter, scoring multiple shots and layups, followed by some free throws in an attempt to catch up to McClain — but it wasn’t enough to shake the Lady Tigers’ hometown advantage. Malea Montavon scored a sweet 3-pointer to secure the win for McClain, taking the final score to 41-35 by the buzzer.
“When you’re up 10 to 12 points most of the game, and you’re in control like we were, that makes a win,” said McClain head coach Jarrod Haines.
Malea Montavon and Taylor Polley led scoring for McClain with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
The Lady Tigers now hold a 5-6, 5-3 record. The McClain ladies will travel to Mowrystown Thursday, Jan. 5 to challenge the Whiteoak Lady Wildcats at 7:30 p.m.
Summary
McClain — 13 9 10 9 — 41
Clinton-Massie — 6 9 5 15 — 35
MHS: Beth 4-0/2-8; Stegbauer 2/3-2; Malea Montavon (4)-0/2-12; Polley 2-7/10-11; Uhrig 1-2; Kegley 2/2-2; Makenzie Montavon 1-2/2-4
Totals: 8(4)-12/21-41
CMHS: Theetge 3-4/5-11; Cottrell 1-2/2-4; Rose 1(1)-5; Leary 1-2; Newton 2-4; Myers 4-1/2-9
Totals: 12(1)-8/11-35
Connor Bryant is a contributing sportswriter for The Times-Gazette.
