By Seth Vanderwest
LocalSportsJournal.com
KENT CITY–The Muskegon Big Reds girls’ basketball team kept the Eagles at arms’ length Tuesday night in a 55-43 victory in nonconference action.
Muskegon jumped out to a 13-4 lead early in the game by forcing turnovers and punishing the Eagles in transition. However, the Big Reds’ aggressive play came at the cost of seven team fouls in the opening quarter. That sent several key players to the bench in the early going. Muskegon led 16-7 after one quarter.
The Eagles handled Muskegon’s pressure better in the second quarter, but were not able to generate stops on defense. Lexie Bowers hit a halfcourt and-1 buzzer beater to bring the Eagles within 31-24 at the half.
Kent City never got closer than seven points the rest of the way, despite a hot start early in the third quarter.
Muskegon was led by BreAsia Gamble-Jones with 16 points and Ty’veonna Davis with 13. The Big Reds went 11-14 from the foul line.
Kent City was led by Maddie Geers with 19 points and Lexie Bowers with 14.
“At the end of the day, we didn’t hit shots,” said Kent City coach Aleah Holcomb. “I think we competed really well with a great team. This just showed us that we need to be able to handle pressure more.”
“We turned up the tempo defensively and did a good job of staying patient at the end,” Muskegon coach Bernard Loudermill said. “We’re young. I thought we did a great job without [Sanava Peevy] and we’ll get her back Saturday.”
The Big Reds (2-0) will travel to the Lady Giant Showcase on Saturday.
Kent City (1-2) will compete in the Lakeshore Classic on Saturday.
All photo’s below are courtesy of Krisha Wainright
