Hartselle’s Lady Tigers probably played its best quarter of basketball this year, outscoring West Point 22-3 in the third quarter to earn a 52-41 win Thursday night.

Head coach Gary Orr said the 22 points was the most points his team scored in a quarter this season. He said the reason for that had little to do with their offensive production.

Kanesia Elliot looks to shoot against West Point. | Richard Hollingsworth (http://nikonrick.smugmug.com/)

“It all goes back to our defense,” Orr said. “We played good defense in that third quarter, and it gave us a spark on the offensive side of the ball.”

The win evens Hartselle’s area record at 3-3 and improves the Lady Tigers’ record to 10-11.

Orr said this has been a tough week for his team. Not only was this their third game of the week, but it was also their first game without Melissa Paul Hill, who had back surgery on Wednesday.

“It’s been a real emotional week for our team,” Orr said. “Our team was sad to see her play her last game of the season this week. They’ve taken it kind of hard.”

Hartselle struggled early on as West Point built a 16-7 lead in the first quarter and eventually took a 26-18 lead at the break.

However, that’s when Hartselle turned it around.

The Lady Tigers scored the first nine points of the third stanza to take a brief 27-26 lead, capped off by a 3-pointer and lay-up by Alice Ann Glasgow.

West Point hit a free throw to tie the game at 27, but that would be the last time the game was close.

Sarah Horner hit a 3-pointer to regain the lead. By the next time West Point hit its next basket, the Lady Tigers had built an insurmountable double-digit lead.

West Point did take advantage of some missed free throws down the stretch, as the Lady Warriors closed to within 44-38. However, Belaine Allen and Quanesha Burks knocked down key free throws in the final minute to seal the win.

Allen led the team with 10 points followed by Allie Roden, Kanesia Elliot and Burks with 8 points each. Burks also had 6 steals and 6 rebounds while Elliot had 6 rebounds and 4 steals. Horner and Glasgow finished with 7 apiece. Sheneal Johnson added 4 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals.

Rachel Persall led West Point with 14 points while Madison Rusk had 12 points. The Lady Tigers forced 22 turnovers, 17 of which accounted for steals.

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