(Photo compliments of Terri Tutt)
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The Lady Panthers of Miami Trace led at every stop Wednesday in their 39-20 win at Chillicothe, to remain in a first place tie with McClain for the FAC Girls Basketball lead. The Lady Tigers beat Jackson 44-31.
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The first time the Lady Cavaliers and Lady Panthers met, they combined for over 90 points in a 47-44 MT win. This time, Miami Trace used a trapping defense and suffocating inside double teams to hold Chillicothe to 20 points the entire game.
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The Lady Panthers dominated in a 39-20 win to maintain a first place tie ( with McClain) and knock the Lady Cavs in to second place at 5-2.
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Both teams couldn’t get any offense going early and MT led just 6-3 after one quarter. Chillicothe gave up six points off turnovers to MT early in the second period and that seemed to get the Panthers going. The visitors out scored Chillicothe 14-3 to take a comfortable 20-6 lead at intermission.
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Statistically, the big factor was turnovers. Miami Trace only committed 3 miscues while the Lady Cavs turned it over 22 times. Chillicothe also struggled shooting, hitting just 8 of 33 shots for 24% on the night. The Lady Panthers were 15 of 38 for 39%.
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Miami Trace senior Shay McDonald nailed 15 second half points and totaled 18 markers to lead all scorers. Cavalier senior Shawnice Smith was double teamed inside and managed only 8 points to lead Chillicothe in scoring.
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The Lady Cavs fall to 5-10 and 5-2 in the FAC. Miami Trace and Greenfield McClain remain on top of the FAC at 6-1 and meet on Saturday.
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Miami Trace: McDonald 18; Eakins 2; Jacobs 2; Aleshire 2; Bloom 4; Pavey 2; Ferguson 9.
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Chillicothe: Smith 8; Harding 6; Hall 3; Erslan 2; Cunningham 1.
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