PLEASANT HOPE, Mo. -- Two tough teams from the Mid Lakes Conference met up in Polk County Monday night, as the Fair Grove Lady Eagles came back from a six point halftime deficit to defeat the Pleasant Hope Lady Pirates, 58-49.
This game was close throughout the entire contest, as Pleasant Hope raced out to an early 18-13 lead over Fair Grove after one quarter of play. Pleasant Hope, behind the strong play of Catlin Evans, managed to outscore Fair Grove 14-13 in the second quarter to take a 32-26 lead going into halftime.
The game was far from over, however, as the Fair Grove Lady Eagles easily remained within striking distance. The Lady Eagles had a definite advantage at the post position, as Morgan Kensinger stood taller than any Pleasant Hope defender and would be a key contributor to the Lady Eagles’ second half comeback.
The third quarter saw Fair Grove outscore the Lady Pirates 13-12, yet Pleasant Hope still held a 44-39 advantage after three quarters of play and appeared to be in the driver’s seat as the fourth quarter began.
Fair Grove would make its run in the fourth quarter, as DeAmbra Pilkinton and Morgan Kensinger led the way for the Lady Eagles. Fair Grove would get several important defensive stops, and when Pleasant Hope’s Caitlin Evans fouled out of the game with several minutes remaining, the momentum swung over to Fair Grove. The Lady Eagles would dominate Pleasant Hope in the fourth quarter, as they outscored the Lady Pirates 19-5 to secure a 58-49 comeback victory over their conference foe.
Catlin Evans scored 16 points for Pleasant Hope, and Hailey Richardson added 14 points. For the victorious Fair Grove squad, DeAmbra Pilkinton scored 25 points to lead all scorers, and Morgan Kensinger added 14 points.
