Cougar girls take WCC lead in 42-39 win

Saturday, January 12, 2008

MONROVIA -- The North Putnam Cougars girls' basketball team traveled to Monrovia Friday night, hoping to continue to remain undefeated in the West Central Conference.

The Cougars are currently alone atop the WCC standings at 2-0.

After trailing early in the game, the Lady Cougars pulled ahead in the second period with outstanding scoring, and held on to win a very competitive ball game, 42-39.

North Putnam struggled in the first period, committing nine turnovers, trailing Monrovia 4-7 at the end of the stanza.

However, the Cougars got things in order in the second quarter, outscoring the Bulldogs 18-7, by Dakota Malayer hitting a three-point basket, Carlye McGaughey hitting three more three-point baskets from long range, and Taylor Alles scoring six points.

The combined effort allowed North Putnam to take a 22-14 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The third quarter ended with the Cougars still on top, 31-26, but Monrovia made a run at North Putnam in the fourth quarter.

The Bulldogs closed the Cougar lead to one at 33-32 with 4:06 left in the game, but North Putnam pulled ahead, leading 39-34 with 1:15 to play.

Monrovia tied the game at 39-39, with six seconds showing on the clock, then the Cougars moved the ball up the floor to get a final shot.

McGaughey made a three-point attempt with one second left in the game, but was fouled while shooting.

After Monrovia called a time out to try to "ice" her, she calmly stepped to the line and hit all three free throws, giving the Cougars a 42-39 victory.

The Lady Cougars won the game by hitting 42 percent of their shots from the floor, and out rebounding Monrovia, 29-to-19.

"We have been kind of streaky all year, losing our first seven games, and then winning four in a row. We lost a tough one to Eminence, and then ran into a really good Western Boone team last Tuesday," commented North Putnam coach Kevin Smith after the game.

"But tonight's game was really up and down. We committed nine turnovers in the first quarter, and then we got on track in the second quarter, hitting some nice three-point shots to get us going."

"Our rebounding was really good and we shot the ball really well tonight," added Smith.

North Putnam had two players scoring double figures, McGaughey, the leading scorer in the game with 14, and Alles with 11.

Leah Crosby followed with eight, Shawna Johnston had six, and Malayer closed out the Cougar scoring with three points.

Johnston led the Cougars in rebounds with a game-high nine boards, and Alles and Leah Crosby were close behind with nine each.

The Cougars (5-9, 2-0 WCC) host Southmont Tuesday night to play the Mounties in a non -- conference game. The junior varsity game starts at 6:00.

At Monrovia

North Putnam4 18 9 11 -- 42
Monrovia7 7 12 13 -- 39

North Putnam (5-9, 2-0 WCC) -- E Crosby 0-3 0-0 0, Alles 3-8 5-9 11, Malayer 1-2 0-1 3, L Crosby 4-8 0-0 8, McGaughey 4-8 3-3 14, Johnston 3-7 0-1 6. Totals 15-36 FG, 8-14 FT, 42 TP.

Monrovia (3-11, 0-4 WCC) -- Long 2-3 0-0 4, A Engel 1-4 1-2 3, Dorsett 2-6 0-0 5, Harris 3-5 1-2 9, Porter 3-8 4-5 11, Dillon 1-9 0-0 2, Standeford 2-8 1-2 5, Rednour 0-0 0-0 0, M Engel 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 14-41 FG, 7-11, FT, 39 TP.

3-pt. FG--NP 4-9 (E Crosby 0-1, Malayer 1-2, L McGaughey 3-6), M 4-9 (Dorsett 1-3, Harris 2-3, Porter 1-1, Dillon 0-2). Rebounds--NP 29 (E Crosby 1, Alles 7, L Crosby 7, McGaughey 5, Johnston 9), M 19 (Long 1, A Engel 1, Dorsett 3, Harris 1, Porter 2, Dillon 2, Standeford 9). Blocks--NP 1 (Johnston 1), M 2 (A Engel 1, Standeford 1). Assists--NP 10 (Alles 3, Malayer 2, L Crosby 2, McGaughey 1, Johnston 2), M 10 (Dorsett 1, Harris 1, Dillon 7, Standeford 1). Steals--NP 3 (McGaughey 2, Johnston 1), M 10 (A Engel 1, Dorsett 1, Harris 4, Porter 2, Dillon 2). Total fouls--NP 11, M 18. Fouled out--none. Turnovers--NP 20, M 15.

Next game -- The Cougars (5-9, 2-0 WCC) host Southmont at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

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