LADY MULES PLOW BY ND 54-40

Bigger was definitely better Monday night when two of the state's premier girls basketball teams squared off at Notre Dame High School.

Notre Dame, ranked third in Class 2A, was no match for Class 4A No. 3 Poplar Bluff as the Lady Mules rolled to a 54-40 victory.

The Lady Mules, who reached the Class 4A championship game last season, improved their record to 13-1 while the Lady Bulldogs fell to 12-3.

"They're a tough team," said Notre Dame coach Jerry Grim in complimenting the Lady Mules. "I thought we played all right at times, but defensively they just pushed us around. They're a very physical team. I don't mean dirty, they just play very good defense."

Nicole Rivers scored 18 points to lead the Lady Mules while Jessica Wilson added 15.

Notre Dame got 13 points from both Ashley Millham and Deana McCormick.

Poplar Bluff grabbed a 16-10 lead after one quarter and led 31-21 at halftime before coasting to victory.

"They controlled the game pretty much the whole way," Grim said. "Defensively, they just took us out of our game. But playing a tough team like this should definitely help us in the long run."