Ava Lady Bears Boost SCA Record to 3-0; Lose Heartbreaker to Lebanon at Home

The Ava Lady Bears lost a heartbreaker to Lebanon on the home court Monday night, but playing on the road the Ava girls improved their conference record to 3-0. In fact, all three of Ava’s conference games – and wins – have been on the road so far this season.
Last Thursday night, the girls won an SCA game at Cabool, 61-37. Then, on Tuesday night the Lady Bears traveled to Houston to make up a game snowed out earlier in January and won the game, 50-38.
On the home floor Monday night, the Ava girls overcame a 12-point deficit to take the lead over Lebanon in the second half. Ava was unable to hold that lead, however, and dropped the non-conference bout, 66-64.
Ava trailed the Yellowjackets by one point, 28-27, at halftime.
Senior Maison Bovard had 35 points and 15 rebounds at Cabool to lead the Ava ladies. Bailey Lee added 10 points for Ava.
Others scoring for the Lady Bears were Hope Evans 6, Lakota Blakey 4, Bailey Loge 2, Callie Eubanks 2 and Jacey Swofford 2.
Bovard got into foul trouble in the first half here Monday night but had an outstanding second half, finishing the game with her second consecutive double-double, scoring 22 points and pulling down 11 boards. Bovard was also perfect at the line, sinking 6 of 6.
It was the outside shooting of Bailey Lee that opened the inside up for Bovard in the second half. Lee finished with 22 points on the night.
Swofford had eight points and seven rebounds for Ava.
Rounding out the scoring for the Lady Bears were McKenna Hunsaker 7, Loge 2, Evans 2 and Eubanks 1.
At Houston Tuesday night, the Lady Bears held a 29-9 halftime lead and cruised to a 50-38 SCA win. The Lady Bears improved their overall record to 6-5.
Ava plays in the Reeds Spring Tournament next week. Their next SCA game will be at home Feb. 3 against Mtn. View-Liberty.
Bovard led the team once again Tuesday with 22 points and Swofford added 10.
Others scoring were Lee 9, Loge 4, Eubanks 2, Evans 2 and Hunsaker 1.
Coach Alyssa Paulsell said, “They came out with a little stronger man to man pressure in the 3rd quarter, but we maintained a lead and withstood a run from Houston in the 4th quarter and got out with a 50-38 victory.”