Hannah Gibbons (21) makes a tough approach to the basket. | Martha Ladd
WINNSBORO – The Richard Winn Lady Eagles’ first match-up in the Richard Winn Christmas Tournament pitted them in a defensive battle with the Ben Lippen Lady Falcons. Both teams only had one double-digit scoring quarter each, but the Falcons outlasted RWA for a 34-26 win.
Both teams knocked down a three pointer in the first quarter, and that was the only field goal either team made in the quarter. Elizabeth Rew sunk the three for Ben Lippen and Taylor Spires rang up one for the Eagles. A Mikaela Miller free-throw gave the Eagles a 4-3 lead going into the second quarter.
The offenses exploded in the second quarter. Spires had five points for RWA in the second, including another three-pointer, and Gracie Atkerson also had five. Still, Ben Lippen outscored the Eagles in the second, and the Falcons led 19-18 at halftime. Riley Beyers had nine points for the Falcons in the second.
Atkerson was the only spark for the Eagles offense in the third quarter. She had all of Richard Winn’s five third-quarter points, and their deficit grew to 23-27 before the fourth. Hannah Gibbons was the only Eagle to get on the board for RWA in the fourth, and it was not enough to erase the deficit.
Cache Jones locked down the victory for Ben Lippen with four points in the fourth, and Beyer put in three more points from the free-thrown line.
RWA: 4-14-5-3-26
BL: 3-16-8-7-34
RWA: Taylor Spires – 10, Gracie Atkerson – 10, Hannah Gibbons – 5, Mikaela Miller – 1.
BL: Riley Beyer – 16, Elizabeth Rew – 11, Cache Jones – 6, Ariel Miller – 1.
