The Eufaula Lady Ironheads earned a tough and physical game over the Morris Eagles 46-39. It was a battle from the opening tip as neither team backed down. The Ironheads struggled with turnovers as they had four turnovers in the first 3:45 of the first period and Morris led 7-2. Eufaula began to surge as Lauren Gray made a steal, Jadence Efurd grabbed a rebound and passed it to Ariel Greenlee who scored to make it a 7-6 game.
Eufaula closed out the period with scores from Greenlee and Olivia Hamby to take a 10-8 lead.
Morris’ full court pressure forced turnovers and Lilli Gidden took advantage of it as she hit a long threepointer and Taylor Phillips powered her way in the paint. Tempers began to turn as Phillips pushed Johna Bumgarner who scored both her free throws to give her team a 15-10 chance. Eufaula grabbed the next three rebounds but failed to score and Morris did to get back into the game 17-14. Kate Pippenger played well as she scored to make it a 17-16 game. Efurd then made a layup to give the Lady Ironheads an 18-17 lead. On the next play Hannah Needham forced a turnover and passed it to Maddie Ballarc who was hacked by Asiah Barnett. Eufaula went in the halftime break 20-17.
Ballard and Bumgarner each hit three-pointers to start the third period and extended the lead 26-21. Elaina Monroe got hurt when she tried to move the ball up court against her bigger opponent and left the game.
The physicality of the game was brutal as Efurd picked up her fourth foul with 2:13 remaining in the third period. Pippenger kept battling and scored with a foul as Eufaula led 3430 to end the period.
The Lady Ironheads forced a turnover but missed a shot then blocked a shot. Eufaula made a great play when Bumgarner grabbed a rebound and passed it to Efurd who passed it to Greenlee who scored to make it a 37-31 game.
Eufaula began to roll as Efurd scored, Greenlee rebound and Bumgarner hitting a three-pointer to extend the lead 42-34.
The game became clear when Phillips pushed Needham in the back with 34.9 seconds on the clock and received a technical.
Ballard would add the nail in the coffin as the Lady Ironheads held off the Eagles 46-39.
Ballard finished with 11 points, Bumgarner eight points, Pippenger 10 points and Greenlee seven points.
