SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— The number one ranked Drury Lady Panthers, playing their fourth game in the span of seven days, showed both the effects of the grind of that stretch of action but also their determination, as they rallied in impressive style for a 75-61 win over the Lewis Flyers, Saturday afternoon at the O’Reilly Family Event Center, extending their current win streak to 12 in a row.
The Lady Panthers, 48 hours after coming from behind for a similar type win at Illinois-Springfield, fell behind the Flyers 19-8 after the opening quarter and trailed 40-23 at halftime, as they struggled on the offensive end of the floor.
But midway through the third period, things flipped dramatically, and after pulling within nine points at 52-43, Drury exploded in the fourth stanza, outscoring Lewis 32-9 the final ten minutes and improved to 16-1 overall and a perfect 6-0 in Great Lakes Valley Conference action.
“I know if we’re gonna be that team that makes a run in the NCAA tournament, we can’t wait till the second half to do that,” said Drury head coach Amy Eagan.
“So I’m charging it up to maybe playing three or four games in a week, but we know we’ve still got things to figure out.”
Again, playing without key starters Paige Robinson and Asia Lynch in the lineup due to injury and illness, the Lady Panthers followed the lead of graduate player Kaylee DaMitz, who took charge on offense, scoring a season-best 32 points, eighteen coming in the second half.
“Man, did she just put us on her back or what,” added Eagan. “I mean, she does so many great things for us and does it every game, but if we really need something to happen, she’s gonna make it happen.”
Graduate-student Terrion Moore had 15 points, sophomore Allie Clevenger chipped in 14, including four of six from three-point range, and junior Alana Findley added 10 to pace the Lady Panther scoring.
Tara Gugliuzza had 15 points for the Flyers, who dropped to 3-9 overall and 1-3 in GLVC action.
The Lady Panthers are back in action on Jan. 13th, when they begin a three-game road swing, playing at William Jewell in a 5:30 pm contest.
