BY JASON PEAKE
Fueled by their defense, the Cardinals used a 13-0 run in the first half to take control.
"We were able to get some turnovers out of our fullcourt press," Cardinals coach Lance Robbins said. "Those gave us some easy buckets. And when we got stops early, secured defensive rebounds and were able to get out and run, that's when we're at our best."
Junior Jaydee Duda led Webb City with 15 points, while classmate Raven Vaughn had 13 and sophomore Kenzie Robbins added 12. Keira Jackson and Sierra Kimbrough chipped in six points apiece.
"We're a very balanced team," Robbins said. "We have four or five girls who can score 15 points on any given night. Our girls are unselfish and we had girls step up and hit shots."
The Cardinals hit 27-of-59 shots (46%) and scored 21 points off Joplin's 16 turnovers. Webb City outrebounded Joplin 40-17.
When the Eagles went to a zone defense, the Cardinals were able to pick it apart and get high-percentage shots inside.
"We spent the last couple of days working on our zone offense," Robbins said. "I thought our girls did a good job of attacking."
Senior Gabby Quinn scored eight points to lead Joplin, while classmate Addison Wallace added seven and freshman Brynn Driver had six.
The Eagles, who are playing the remainder of the season without injured sophomore Ella Hafer, made 12-of-34 field goal attempts (35%). Webb City's early surge spanned the end of the first quarter and the early stages of the second quarter, and the Cardinals led 24-7 lead. Webb City extended its advantage to 48-22 after an 11-2 run finished off the third period.
"We didn't feel that bad at halftime honestly," Joplin coach Jeff Williams said. "I thought we were within striking distance. But we're having trouble finishing the job on defense or we can't come up with rebounds. And we're turning the ball over too much. You can't do that and expect to be in a ballgame. We'll get back to work and try to find some answers."
Joplin Globe 01/15/2020 (Used by permission)