Parker’s double-double leads No. 4 Drury to big Senior Day win

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SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— Senior Emily Parker, with a dominating afternoon, scored a game-high 22 points and pulled down a career-tying best 12 rebounds in helping the Drury Lady Panthers to a 100-57 Great Lakes Valley Conference win over the Lewis Flyers at the O’Reilly Family Event Center on Saturday.

Parker was good on seven of eight shots from the field and went seven of nine at the free-throw line, with her rebounding work matching her best Drury effort ever, dating back to her freshman season.

“Emily is a very smart basketball player, she knows when she can get things done, and she’s made so much happen for us this year,” said Drury head coach Amy Eagan.  “A big part of who we are is rebounding this year, and we go as she goes in the rebounding battles.”

In addition to Parker’s efforts, the Lady Panthers hit an impressive 62 percent of their shots and saw six players reach double-figure scoring as they coasted to the win and improved to 14-1 overall and in GLVC play.

Sophomore Alana Findley came off the bench to score a career-best 16 points on seven of eight attempts from the field.  Seniors Payton Richards, Azia Lynch, and Katie Kirkhart added 14, 13, and 10 points each, while Drury’s leading scorer, junior Paige Robinson chipped in 12.

“Something we talk about with this team is next person up, and everybody’s got to be ready,” added Eagan.  “Alana is an example, as she came out and had herself a great game.”

The Lady Panthers grabbed early control of the contest, forcing the Flyers into ten first-period turnovers, and rode a quick ten points from Kirkhart to a 26-14 margin after the opening quarter. They went on to lead 51-33, and Findley’s three-point shot at the closing buzzer gave the Lady Panthers their second 100 point scoring effort of the season.

“I was happy for the team,” added Eagan.  “Lewis is a talented team, and this could have been a trap game for us, but we came out and attacked and went after them all game.”

The Flyers, who dropped to 11-8 overall and in GLVC play, were led in scoring by Jenna Badali, who finished with 15 points.

The Lady Panthers return to action on Tuesday, Feb. 23, when they host William Jewell in a 6:05 pm game at the O’Reilly Family Event Center, which will be their final home game of the regular season.

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