WILLARD, Mo. -- Nixa's Coach Jim Middleton wasn’t sure what to expect when the Lady Eagles traveled to Willard.
"We had played four tough games last week and I was really impressed that the girls' intensity level didn't drop off any," stated Middleton.
Nixa, whose record is now 17-3, avenged an earlier loss to Willard by winning 42-27.
"Nothing comes easy in this conference," stated Middleton," especially when you play on the road."
From the tip-off Nixa controlled the tempo of the game by continually pushing the ball up and down the floor. Nixa jumped out on Willard early, taking a nine point lead before Willard Coach Mike Percival called a time out. Willard responded by closing the score to 16-8 at the end of the first quarter. The game was a game of turnovers and mistakes by both squads as the teams struggled to get on track offensively.
Nixa's defense was stifling as they shut down Willard's offense, allowing them only 13 points in the first half. Nixa scored the last nine points of the half to gain momentum, going into halftime with a score of 29-13.
At the start of the second half, the momentum Nixa had gained in the first two quarters was gone as they turned the ball over six straight times, while only scoring two free throws to end the third quarter. The Lady Tigers managed to get within six points 31-25 with less than five minutes to go in the game. Nixa rallied in the fourth quarter, going on an 11-2 run to end the contest. "I thought our half court defense played extremely well tonight and we did a good job of shutting down Brook Duncan, holding her to just 11 points. That was key," said Middleton.
Nixa's record is 17-3, Willard's is 11-7.
Leading the Lady Eagles in scoring was Jeana Raper and Jessica Lessman, both with 12. The Willard Lady Tigers were led by Brook Duncan’s 11 points.
