By By SCOTT COOPER – Sports Writer
The Pensacola Catholic Lady Crusaders paid a visit to W.S. Neal Gym for a Jan. 6 meeting with the W.S. Neal Lady Eagles and returned home with a resounding 72-29 win.
While handing W.S. Neal a loss that dropped the Lady Eagles to 2-9 on the season, the Lady Crusaders (12-2) showed why they are one of the highly respected programs in the panhandle region of Florida.
Running the floor with their athletic style of play and playing tough, harassing defense that kept Neal's offense out of sync the entire contest, the Lady Crusaders took control of the game early.
With 2:29 left in the first quarter, Pensacola Catholic held a 22-0 lead before quarter-ending baskets by Rhonda Bradley and Chelsea Gulley got the Lady Eagles on the scoreboard.
The Lady Crusaders took a 25-4 lead into the second period of play and methodically padded their cushion as the quarter progressed. After the Lady Eagles reduced the deficit to 27-8, the Lady Crusaders went on a 13-2 run that allowed them to take a 40-10 lead into halftime.
In the third period, Pensacola Catholic took dead aim on medium-range jumpers while continuing to cause problems for the Lady Eagle offense. Outscoring Neal 17-2 in the period, the Lady Crusaders held a 57-12 advantage heading into the fourth period.
Starting the final period, Mayisha Brown and Candi Williams nailed 3-pointers that pulled the Lady Eagles a bit closer at 57-22. As the quarter unfolded, two points by Olivia Thompson coupled with a 4-point quarter from Tikeria Matthews prevented the visitors from appreciably stretching their lead by game's end.
Tikeria Matthews scored six points to lead the Lady Eagle offense.