Southmont post players too much to handle for Cougars

North Putnam sophomore Morgan Smith intercepts a pass intended for Cali Wetli in the second quarter on Tuesday. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

CRAWFORDSVILLE -- The North Putnam girls' basketball team made the short trek to Southmont on Tuesday night and went home with a loss, 57-32.

North Putnam started out playing well, only trailing by five at the end of the first quarter. In the frame the Cougars forced eight turnovers and came down with six boards.

Unlike some of the recent games the Cougars did not get into early foul trouble.

NPHS coach Curtis Lawrence thought that the first quarter defense was very good but the second and third quarters the team slacked off a little bit.

"The first quarter we played well," Lawrence said. "(In the) second and third quarter, not so well. We gave up too many offensive rebounds and second chance points."

In the second quarter the Cougars allowed 17 points and forced eight turnovers. But, in turn, they gave away 12 possessions of their own. At the half North Putnam was down 30-11.

Although the score was lopsided, Lawrence was still proud of the defense they played, saying he hoped the defense would carry over to the game Friday night against Cloverdale

"I thought we did a nice job tonight," he said.

In the second half it was much of the same as the first half for both teams, with just the numbers dwindling in the turnover category.

Cougars had just seven turnovers while the Mounties had eight after the break.

North Putnam finally got its offense going late. It had its first double-digit scoring quarter in the fourth when they scored 12 points. They held Southmont to just eight points in the frame.

The biggest difference Tuesday night was the rebounding category. The Cougars gave up plenty of offensive rebounds to the Mounties and were outrebounded 42-27 total.

Senior forward Sam Lucas exited the game early in the second quarter after picking up her third foul and NPHS missed her size inside.

The Cougars could not get the ball to bounce their way and could not get the ball to go in the net, making only 13-of-64 two-point shots.

After the game was all said and done, the Cougars lone double-digit scorer was Lucas.

Lucas got back to her old self after a couple down games. She had 15 points via six field goals and three free throws.

The Cougars coach only had good things to say about her.

"She continues to play hard. Tonight she was able to get some buckets to fall, which she couldn't in the last couple games," Lawrence said. "She continues to get to the line and she is starting to knock those down as well."

With the defense and Lucas on track, Lawrence said the team will be ready for this weekend.

"I think on Friday we will give Cloverdale a tougher game than last time in the County Tournament," he said.

Cloverdale won the last game 45-26.

Friday's contest will be at Cloverdale at 6 p.m.

At Southmont
Southmont 13 17 19 8 -- 57
North Putnam 8 3 9 12 -- 32