The Lady Cardinals finally got to play in front of the home crowd but ended up on the short end of a 52-48 decision to McDonald County.  With the loss, they will head into the Christmas break at 5-2.

A slow start in the first quarter put the Cardinals into an 18-6 hole that they spent the next two quarters climbing out of.  Cardinals were down 6-0 when they finally made their first shot four minutes into the game.  Another eight points by the Mustangs and Webb City was down double digits in the final minutes of the quarter.  

Halfway through the second quarter, they were down by 16, but a 10-0 run to close the half and back to back buckets from Addie Burns to open the third quarter got the Cardinals back to within one score at 29-27.  Two minutes later another four points from Burns tied the game and after two free throws from the Mustangs, Whitlee Keith drilled a three to give the Cardinals their first lead at 38-37.  A basket from McDonald County put them back in front but a three from Kenzie Horn and a layup from Burns to end the quarter gave the Cardinals 43-39 lead into the the final quarter.

The final quarter however was much the same as the first.  Webb City went into a prolonged scoring drought, not scoring in the first four minutes and then only scoring once more in the final 30 seconds.  The Mustang offense wasn't much better, as they continued to trail until taking the lead for good with only 90 seconds remaining.  Three free throws in the final seconds sealed the Mustang win.

Statistically even in most categories, rebounds and free throws helped decide the contest.  The Cardinals were out rebounded by 37-27, and the Mustangs held an 11 points advantage in free throws, 14-22 from the stripe while the Cardinals were only 3-6.

Addie Burns put up 15 points, playing the entire contest.  Kenzie Horn was the only other Cardinal in double figures at 10.  

The Cardinals will return to the floor the day after Christmas as they begin play in the Rolla tournament.