Lady Tigers Split Road Test, Win Two Thrillers (Jan. 5–8)

Excelsior Springs, Mo. (Jan. 5-8) – The Lady Tigers returned from winter break with a 2–1 record in action.

They opened the week with a road trip to Grandview on January 5, falling to the Bulldogs, 75–39. Grandview forced 26 turnovers, converting them into 29 points. The Lady Tigers placed two players in double figures, with seniors Kinley Rogers and Bella Loeffert each scoring 14 points. Senior Josie Casler added eight points, while sophomore Reese Ryan scored four in the loss.

The following night proved more positive, as the Lady Tigers earned a thrilling 53–51 win over the Cameron Dragons. A strong start gave the Lady Tigers a 15–5 first-quarter lead, followed by a 12–11 second quarter to carry a 27–16 advantage into halftime. Cameron responded with a 13–9 third quarter to cut the deficit to 36–29 entering the fourth. The Dragons outscored the Lady Tigers 22–17 in the final period but missed a jumper from the free-throw line at the buzzer, securing the win for the Lady Tigers.

Casler led the way with 23 points and nine rebounds. Rogers recorded another double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Kayden Rogers finished with eight points, while Ryan scored five and Loeffert added three. Juniors Lara Hutton and Jaedyn Wilkins rounded out the scoring with two points apiece.

The week concluded with another late-game thriller, as the Lady Tigers defeated the Winnetonka Griffins 43–40 on January 8. Both teams scored eight points in the opening quarter before the Lady Tigers built a 24–15 halftime lead. Winnetonka cut the margin to 34–27 at the end of the third quarter and opened the fourth quarter with a 10–0 run to take a 37–34 lead. Ryan stopped the run with two free throws.

Casler gave the Lady Tigers a 38–37 lead with 1:10 remaining, but the Griffins answered with a layup to regain the advantage. Casler responded moments later, converting a contested layup off a pass from Kayden Rogers to put the Lady Tigers ahead 40–39 with 56 seconds left. Winnetonka added a free throw, but Loeffert answered on a fast break with a crossover layup to make it 42–40. Ryan sealed the win with a free throw after the Griffins’ final three-point attempt bounced off the rim.

Casler recorded a double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Ryan scored 10 points in the win, while Loeffert added seven, Kinley Rogers scored two, and Hutton added a free throw.