SPRINGFIELD — Nixa wasn’t able to make it back to the White Division championship game, as the Lady Eagles stumbled 46-41 versus Strafford in a semifinal at the Pink & White Lady Classic on Wednesday.
Nixa managed just eight points in the fourth quarter. The Lady Eagles started the quarter by netting only three points in the first five-plus minutes.
With both teams’ defense dominating, the much-hyped showdown lapsed into a free-throw contest.
Strafford recorded a mere two field goals over the final eight minutes and finished with 12 field goals overall.
The Lady Indians were 18-of-25 at the free-throw line. Lauren Jones scored a game-high 14 points and Mattilyn Walker added 11.
Nixa also posted only a pair of field goals in the fourth quarter.
Macie Conway scored 10 of the Lady Eagles’ 18 second-half points on her way to a game-high 17-point performance.
Nixa’s biggest lead was six points, 19-13. The Lady Eagles were up 23-20 at the half, but had an opportunity to pull away further. Strafford ball-handler Emma Compton sat the final five minutes of the first half after picking up two fouls.
Compton had a modest eight points, but dictated plenty over the second half with her operative ball-handling.
The Lady Eagles, who were White Division runners-up last year, will play Georgetown, Kentucky, for third place at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.
STRAFFORD (46) — Jones 4 4-4 14, Walker 4 3-4 11, Mullings 2 1-2 6, Humble 2 0-1 5, Compton 0 8-12 8, Chrisman 0 2-2 2.
NIXA (41) — S. Conway 1 0-0 3, Kamies 3 2-2 8, Clark 2 0-0 4, Gibbons 4 0-1 9, M. Conway 4 9-13 17.
Strafford 13 7 13 13 - 46
Nixa 7 16 10 8 - 41
3-point goals - Jones 2, Humble, Mullings, Gibbons, S. Conway.
