Lady Mules roll past Naylor for third win in four games

NAYLOR — The Poplar Bluff Lady Mules built up a 21-point halftime lead and made it stand up as they rolled past the Naylor Lady Eagles 47-16 Monday night.

The win is the second in a row for Poplar Bluff (5-9), which has won three of its last four games.

“We're hitting a stretch where we felt like we could win some games,” Poplar Bluff coach John David Pattillo said. “We played quite a few state-ranked teams in the first month of the season — the schedule wasn't easy. … We've (also) learned how to start winning some of those (close) games and to get over the hump to win those close games.”

The Lady Mules raced out to a 17-5 lead after the opening period, then pushed their lead to 29-8 by halftime. Poplar Bluff took a 42-12 lead to the fourth quarter.

The Lady Mules also had a strong night defensively, limiting the Lady Eagles to just 17% (6-for-35) shooting.

MiKalla Little led the Lady Mules with 15 points, while Madelyn Eads added 11. Nevaeh Larkins and Kennedy Zgaynor each had six points.

“MiKalla's really developing and she just keeps getting better in all areas,” Pattillo said. “We've made her have the ball in her hands a lot more. … MiKalla's really coming along and Madelyn just keeps getting more comfortable shooting the ball. When those two are scoring like they are, they just take some pressure off everyone else.”

Eads, Little and Zgaynor each drained a pair of 3-pointers as Poplar Bluff hit seven triples on the night.

“We're shooting the ball better as a team,” Pattillo said. … “Once we're hitting on all cylinders, this bunch has a chance to hit some shots and put some pressure on people.”

Chloe Mitchell paced Naylor (6-10) with seven points and seven rebounds.

The Lady Mules host Sikeston Thursday, while Naylor is back in action Friday at Alton.

Black River League Tournament

East Carter 75, Lesterville 47

At Ellington, Brooklyn Kearbey broke East Carter's career scoring record, just one season after Preston Turner did so for the boys last season.

“We had some slow moments, but played well as a team tonight,” East Carter coach Angela Rodgers said after the game. “We shared the ball and crashed the boards which is always important for us.”

Kearbey scored 21 points for the Lady Redbirds (11-4), while Breanna Dohleman scored a team-high 30. Parker Golden and Korra White added six points apiece, while Ciara Duckett and Anna Crowley had five each.

Piper Fitzgerald led Lesterville with 19 points.

East Carter takes on top-seeded South Iron in the semifinals.

Bunker 80, Clearwater 20

At Ellington, the third-seeded Bunker Lady Eagles scored the game’s first 27 points to defeat the Lady Tigers and earn a semifinal matchup with No. 2 seed and host Ellington.

“Tonight was a rough game,” Clearwater coach Lexi Morris said afterwards. “Missing a key starter was very hard.”

Makinklee Keister led the Lady Tigers with 11 points.