TOP SEEDS WIN BIG IN HEALTHSOUTH; ND SLIPS PAST LADY PIRATES; PB ROMPS

As far as the HealthSouth Classic goes, the best was saved for last Wednesday night at the Show Me Center.

After three blowouts -- including second-seeded Poplar Bluff's 70-30 win over No. 7 Scott City -- No. 5 Notre Dame was able to hold off No. 4 Perryville in a close game 49-41.

Sara Westrich scored 13 points to lead eight Lady Bulldogs who scored.

Tiffany Perkins provided 56 percent of Perryville's offense, scoring 24 points.

The Lady Pirates pulled within 42-39 with 1:48 left after a basket by Julie Berkbuegler.

But Notre Dame (5-4) was able to take care of the ball -- it had just two turnovers in the final four minutes despite Perryville going to an intense fullcourt trap -- and made 3-of-4 free throws in the last 37 seconds to seal the win.

The win avenged Notre Dame's one-point loss at Perryville earlier this season.

"We played well tonight both offensively and defensively," Notre Dame coach Jerry Grim said. "We denied better, were more patient on offense and worked hard on help defense."

Both teams got off to a sluggish start with Notre Dame taking an 8-6 lead into the second quarter. Notre Dame led 22-17 at halftime and 32-27 after three quarters.

Though Notre Dame could never put Perryville (2-4) away, it never gave up the lead once it gained a 16-15 advantage in the second quarter.

The Lady Bulldogs' biggest lead of the game was seven. They led 42-35 with just 2:30 left before back-to-back baskets by Perryville closed the gap to three.

Notre Dame will play top-seeded Jackson, which was a big winner over Kelly, at 8:30 tonight.

"Around here, they're about as tough as it gets," Grim said. "But we've got nothing to lose and everything to gain."

Notre Dame upset the Lady Indians in last year's HealthSouth semifinals.

In the Poplar Bluff-Scott City game, the Lady Rams had as many turnovers as points, which was a bad combination. Scott City turned the ball over 30 times in a humbling loss to the tough Lady Mules.

The Lady Mules, who are annually one of the basketball powers in Southeast Missouri, stumped Scott City with relentless defensive pressure.

"Poplar Bluff is a very good team," Scott City coach Randy White said. "They're extremely physical. And when they go to their bench, you can't tell they go to their bench."

After exploding to a 12-4 lead after the first quarter, the Lady Mules continued the slaughter, outscoring Scott City (5-1) 28-12 in the second quarter to take a 40-16 lead into halftime. Scott City didn't make a field goal until early in the second quarter and had just nine field goals on the night.

Amazingly, Poplar Bluff (6-2) didn't have any player with more than 12 points. Senior Erika Emmons' 12 paced the Lady Mules. She was one of 12 players to score for Poplar Bluff.

Alaina Smith led Scott City with 12 points. Becca Gowin, who had been averaging more than 20 points a game, was held to just nine.

"They did a good job on her," White said. "But they got good pressure on everybody, not just her."

Poplar Bluff continued its dominance in the third, taking a 63-28 lead into the fourth quarter before things cooled off in the final period.

HealthSouth Holiday Classic

Wednesday's results

(First Round)

Jackson 83, Kelly 21

Poplar Bluff 70, Scott City 30

Cape Central 65, Scott County 35

Perryville xx, Notre Dame xx

Today's Schedule

(Consolation)

4 p.m. -- Notre Dame vs. Kelly

5:30 p.m. -- Scott City vs. Scott County

(Semifinals)

7 p.m. -- Jackson vs. Perryville

8:30 p.m. -- Cape Central vs. Poplar Bluff