For The Tribune
CROTHERSVILLE
The Crothersville girls closed out their regular season Tuesday night by outscoring New Washington 43-32 in the second half to post a 59-43 Southern Athletic Conference win.
It was senior night with Crothersville senior Kaitlyn Silver being honored before the game.
Tigers Coach Kevin Hensley said, “Kaitlyn has meant so much on the fact that she’s mentally tough, she understands her role. She tries to bring the girls up and encourage them because she might not get the same playing time as them.”
The Tigers held a 16-11 lead at the half despite shooting 5-for-27 in the first 16 minutes. The Mustangs also struggled during that time as they shot 5-for-30 in the first half.
Tayler Brewer was a force inside throughout the game for the Tigers. She scored two field goals and made 3 of 5 free throws and pulled down 14 rebounds in the first half.
The Tigers held a 23-21 lead at the midway through the third period when Piper Hensley found her shooting eye from the outside as she made three 3-pointers in a span of 3:12 to help the Tigers take a 35-30 lead into the final quarter.
Maddie Riley also had a 3 when the Tigers outscored the Mustangs 12-7 over the final 3:22 of the quarter.
Riley added a basket and three free throws, Makayla Helt scored a basket and two free throws, and Brewer had a 3-pointer and a total of seven points in the fourth period when the Tigers increased their lead.
Hensley and Brewer tied for scoring honors for the Tigers with 19 apiece and Riley had 11.
Brewer set a Crothersville school record with 25 rebounds. Rebekah Cook pulled down 11 to help the Tigers outrebound the mustangs 45-30.
The Tigers (13-9, 3-2 SAC) shot 16-for-57 and the Mustangs were 18-for-64.
The Tigers made 20 of 28 free throws to 4-for-6 for the Mustangs.
Coach Hensley was pleased with the win. “I think Piper is finally getting over that flu now. You could tell it tonight. She was a totally different girl. The assistant coaches were talking about it. She just looked healthier than what she had been the last few days.
“That just opens it up for everybody else when she hits those outside shots. Then they’ve got to start going inside on Tayler and not many girls can handle Tayler one-on-one.”
Hope Griffith topped the Mustangs (11-10, 2-3 SAC)) with 20 points and 9 rebounds.
Coach Hensley said, “It is a nice way to end the regular season. This shows us how good we can be because this New Washington beat both of the top dogs (Trinity Lutheran and West Washington) in our sectional, and Austin.
“That says we can beat anybody as long as we keep our heads and play a smart ballgame.”