Alice Lloyd Lady Eagles conclude regular season with 86-74 loss at Ohio Christian

Circleville, OH: The Alice Lloyd Lady Eagles journeyed to the Buckeye state to face the high-powered Ohio Christian Lady Trailblazers in the final regular season contest of the year. The Lady Eagles stayed close for thirty minutes before OCU's Haley Cox took over the game to lift her squad to an 86-74 victory.

In the opening stanza, the hosts jumped out to a quick 15-7 lead at 3:18 only to see Alice Lloyd senior guard Hannah Kash score 8 consecutive points to tie the game (15-15). A late jumper from Ohio's Cox would give her club a slight 17-15 lead after ten minutes of play.

In the second quarter, the hosts extended their advantage as Cox ran her midpoint total to 16 points. ALC turned to junior guard Katie Jo Moore for several buckets, as well as Kash, who kept her squad in contention with 13 points of her own, to remain close. Unfortunately, a late flurry from the home squad lifted them to a 42-31 lead after twenty minutes.

In the third stanza, ALC fought back. Kash, Moore, and senior forward Madison Ward accounted for 16 points as the Caney Creek crew sliced the deficit to just two (53 -51). OCU would bend, but manage to hold on to a 59-54 lead heading into the ten minutes of play.

In the crucial final quarter, Cox took over for the Trailblazers. The conferences leading scorer (27.7ppg) scored 12 consecutive points to help her team hold their advantage. Then leading 71-60, she proceeded to pump in 10 more points to extend the lead. On the Eagle side of things, Kash did her best to keep the Bluegrass ladies close, but the hosts refused to be denied.

For ALC (11-16; 6-11 RSC), Kash led the way with 31 big points. She added team-highs of 7 rebounds, 3 steals and 5 assists.

In addition, Ward scored a season high 16 points, while Moore added 13 points and 7 boards of her own. Senior forward Madison Thompson also chipped in with 7 caroms.

The eastern Kentucky team finished shooting 40% (25-62) from the field and 35% (7-20) from long range. They also sank 89.5% (17-19) from the foul line while adding 39 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 block and 5 steals.

For OCU (20-8; 11-6) Cox poured in 45 points to lead the Blazers. Her squad finished shooting 40.8% (29-71) from the field, 39.4% (13-33) from behind the arc and 68.2% (15-22) from the charity stripe. They also added 37 rebounds, 13 assists, 1 block and 12 steals

The Lady Eagles will return to action on Monday, February 26th, when they journey to central Kentucky to face the Midway Eagles in the opening round of the River States Conference Tournament. Tipoff is set for 6:00 PM.