Community rallies from 21 point deficit, stuns #1 ranked Mercer in Class 1 sectionals

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For the second consecutive season, the Mercer Lady Cardinals met the Community (Laddonia, MO) Lady Trojans in Class 1 sectional play from Kirksville High School.  Last year, Mercer advanced with a victory over Community.  For 12 minutes of Tuesday night’s game, the story looked like it would repeat itself in 2016.

Mercer, with Bailey Owens and Lindsay Wyatt combining for seven three-point field goals, had a seemingly dominant lead of 28-7, causing Community Head Coach Bob Curtis to call his third time out of the half.

What occurred next was a stunning turn of momentum, with Community scoring the next 17 points of the contest, and heading into halftime down only 30-24 after an Owens jumper at the second quarter horn.

With their second quarter rally bringing Community back into the game, the Lady Trojans guarded the three-point line well in the second half, and cut off potential driving lanes with their front line height, frustrating and catching Mercer by early in the fourth quarter, and giving the Lady Cardinals their first and only loss of the season, 48-42.

In a game broadcast locally on Hot Country Z 101.7, the Lady Trojans improved to 20-5, with Samm Jett scoring 13 points (11 in the second half), Alyssa Curtis 13, and Danielle Brooks 11.  Community advances to the Class 1 sectionals on Saturday night (6:oo) at Salisbury High School against the Glasgow Lady Yellowjackets, a 45-34 winner over Prairie Home in Tuesday night’s sectionals.

Mercer ends the season with four tournament championships (HDC, Milan, Meadville, and District 12), a record of 26-1, but the disappointment of falling short of a trip to Columbia.  Wyatt had 17 points (including five 3 pointers), with Owens scoring 16 for the Lady Cardinals.


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