Crutchfield’s game-winning bucket advances Glen Rose to semifinals in close game against Ouachita, 40-39
BATTLE AT THE COVE BASKETBALL TOURNEY 2021 GIRLS FIRST ROUND GAME 1 GLEN ROSE VS. OUACHITA
MAGNET COVE — To tipoff the first of game of senior high girls tournament competition Monday in the 2021 Battle at the Cove basketball tourney in Magnet Cove—featured an in-county match-up with the Glen Rose Lady Beavers edging off Hot Spring County neighbors Ouachita Lady Warriors 40-39 in opening round hoop action at Magnet Cove Gymnasium.
The Lady Warriors coasted to a big first quarter surge led by Olivia Waters, Grace Baker and Delaney Daniell all scoring buckets—giving Ouachita the 9-1 advantage down to the 4:03 mark in first period play. The Lady Beavers’ Ariany Sanchez split a pair of free-throws with Maci Carver drilling a triple to cut Glen Rose’s deficit trailing Ouachita 9-4 with two minutes left in the first quarter. Emma Kyzer answered back burying a trifecta that gave Ouachita a 12-4 lead at the end first period action. In the second, the Lady Beavers outscored Ouachita 15-11—with both ball teams posting double-digit scoring, but at the break—the Lady Warriors maintained a slim 23-19 lead over Glen Rose.
In the second half, the Lady Warriors kept their lead through the third quarter, leading Glen Rose 29-26. Waters had two buckets in the third while Daniell contributed one basket from the field to keep the Lady Warriors in charge. The Lady Beavers’ Ashlee Stafford completed a three-point play with Sanchez and Laney Crutchfield showcasing some production with a bucket apiece to outscore Ouachita 7-6 in the third—to anticipate a down to the wire fourth quarter battle in the next eight minutes of the game.
Going into the fourth quarter, the Lady Beavers had a slight three-point deficit, but Makayla Stevens’ stout shooting surged Glen Rose back. Stevens drained three huge triples from downtown in the quarter. Stevens, alone, dropped 10 points through the basket—but the Lady Warriors also caught on fire beyond the arc with Ables and Daniell both drilling a trey (3-pointer) to keep the contest close. The game was knotted at 38-38 with two minutes remaining, and neither team broke the tie coming up with under a minute left to play. In the closing seconds, the Lady Beavers executed their offense through the inside where Crutchfield sank the game-winning basket with :08 seconds to play that gave Glen Rose the 4038 lead. With only a second left, Ouachita went to the free-throw line tie, but split the pair of foul shots and the Lady Beavers survived for the one-point victory.
For the game, Lady Beavers’ Crutchfield led scoring with 12 points—drilling two triples and Stevens followed with 11 points including three triples for double-figures. Stafford added five points, Sydney Riggan contributed five points, Sanchez and Carver (swishing a triple) each finished with three points apiece.
For the Lady Warriors, Emma Williams led all scorers with 13 points and drained two triples with a seven point scoring period in the second as the lone player in double-figures.
Waters followed with nine points, Kyzer (nailing two triples beyond the arc) with Daniell both contributing six points apiece. Ables drilled a triple for three points and Baker chipped in two points from the field.
UP NEXT
Glen Rose advances to Thursday’s semifinal round against Magnet Cove with tip-off at 7 p.m. Ouachita will play CMA in the consolation round on Saturday at 10 a.m.