The North Callaway girls were up 10 points but then down 10 points on Thursday night.
The Ladybirds led Eastern Missouri Conference foe Louisiana 41-31 in the third quarter, fell behind 55-45 in the fourth and lost 61-55 at the end. It is North Callaway's first loss to Louisiana (3-3, 2-0 EMO) after nine straight victories against the Lady Bulldogs. Louisiana is attempting to make it three straight non-losing seasons following 11 straight losing seasons.
Louisiana tied the game at 45 in a fourth quarter the Lady Bulldogs shot 10-for-16 from the free throw line. After free throws tied the game, back-to-back 3-pointers helped put North Callaway (3-5, 1-2 EMO) almost surmounted from back-to-back 3-pointers by Anna and Natalie Shryock. The Ladybirds trailed by a bucket then, but Louisiana made free throws down the stretch.
"I actually am really proud of our girls defensively," head coach Andrew Klein said. "One thing we've got to do better is block out and quit giving them second chances on defense. (Pederson) hit a couple big shots and got to the hole and scored tough layups. Sometimes, good players make good shots, and defense really doesn't stand a chance against better offense."
Natalie Shryock led North Callaway with 15 points and four 3-pointers, Lakyn Hartley had nine points and five assists, and Kymorie Myers finished with seven points and 12 rebounds -- seven offensive boards.
Jordan Pederson led Louisiana with 20 points and three 3-pointers, Reece Wommack had 15 points (10 points in the fourth quarter), and Cyrinity Chatman had 10 points.
North Callaway plays at Hallsville (2-4) at 6 p.m. Jan. 3 in the second meeting this season following a 42-30 Ladybird win in the Centralia Invitational tournament.
Look for the full story next week.
