Tigers Pounce Past Pioneers With Second Quarter Run

Tigers Pounce Past Pioneers With Second Quarter Run-Wil Teague, Sports Information Director, 1-2-24

Crowley's Ridge- 79

Champion Christian- 89

Paragould, Ark.- Lady Pioneer Basketball kicked off Pioneer Athletics in the new year of 2024 as they hosted the Lady Tigers of Champion Christian College this evening in the Carter Activities Center. The Pioneers opened the new year with a bang as Sophomores Hunter Gibson and Reigiana Ward went back-to-back, nailing a shot from the wing and giving CRC the early lead but painfully the Pioneers would not maintain it. CRC's 9-point advantage midway through the first quarter dissolved as the Tigers settled in and reclaimed superiority, taking a three-point lead into the second quarter. The events in the second quarter ultimately determined the fate of the Pioneers as the Tigers busted out a dominant 26-2 run in the opening 7 minutes of action. With this effort, Champion Christian created enough cushion to outlast the Pioneer's second-half push. Crowley's Ridge did rally in the reaming 3 minutes before the break with Grubbs, Ark native, and Freshman Ansley Dawson leading the charge but CRC saw the Tigers enter halftime up 55-32. CRC's defense came alive in the third quarter as they found strength around Freshman Kylan Stevens. Stevens' hard play style rubbed off as her teammates joined in and held the Tiger offense to 16 points, their lowest of the evening.  The Lady Pioneers dug deep as they posted their best quarter of action with an impressive 33-point finale but the Tiger gap held with the Pioneers falling 79-89. Ansley Dawson led the Pioneers on the court in the loss as the Freshmen ended with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 steals, finishing the night with a double-double. CRC had three other Pioneers reach double-digit points as Hunter Gibson added 15, Reigiana Ward tallied 11, and Senior Travia Woodruff bucketed 10 while dishing out a team-high 9 assists. 

Up Next: WBB doesn't rest long as they take on Ecclesia College on Thursday, January 4th at 5:30 PM in the Carter Activities Center. #GOPIONEERS