BRYAN 12/28/2013—In semi-final action of the Bryan Girls Basketball Holiday Tournament, the Lady Panthers of Stryker defeated the host Bryan Lady Golden Bears 43-37.
The Panthers set the tone early on in the contest, dominating both the defensive and offensive glass, as Stryker would outrebound Bryan 41-24. This rebounding advantage allowed Stryker to grab an early 12-9 first quarter lead.
Another key for the Panthers was their free throw shooting, converting nearly 70 percent of their free throw attempts in the contest. As the teams went in to the locker room for the halftime intermission, it would be Stryker who held the lead by a score of 20-17.
The Panther lead would expand in the third quarter, with the Stryker offense out powering their opponents 14-7 in the period.
Although the Golden Bears would out score Stryker 13-9 in the final quarter, it would not be enough to take the lead away from the Panthers, and Stryker advancing Stryker to the tournament finals with a 43-37 victory.
With 15 points on the evening, Christie Huston was the Panthers top scoring performer. Conner Vamer also scored double digits, as she would put down 11 points. Connor Sullivan followed with eight points, Maddie Uribes scored five, and Audra Rupp and Gabrielle Paxton both had two points in the contest.
-Mitchell Peebles