Bradley Central’s Rhyne Howard got her points and rebounds and assists and turnovers. Three other starters combined for only three points, two of which went scoreless.
The undefeated and top-ranked Bearettes needed someone to pick up the offensive slack.
Cambree Mayo decided it was her time to shine, so the sophomore guard scored 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting that included three 3-pointers and was an integral cog in Bradley’s 50-42 victory over District 5-3A rival Walker Valley on Friday night at Jim Smiddy Arena.
Mayo’s solid performance helped shield dismal shooting by starters Anna Walker, Anna Roberts and Kaleigh Hughes, who combined made just 1-of-13 field goals.
Howard went 6 for 14 for 18 points and grabbed six rebounds, dished out six assists and made five steals. Mayo added three rebounds and three steals to her stat line.
Macey Clark led Walker Valley with 17 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals, more than making up for her 11 turnovers. Lauren Lay scored 10 points on 3-of-10 shooting.
The Lady Mustangs held their ground on the boards, tying Bradley with 29 rebounds, 24 on the defensive glass. While Walker Valley had 27 turnovers – Bradley scored 23 points off those mistakes – it forced 18 turnovers only to score nine points. Lombard had five turnovers and Hughes four
As has become a routine, Bradley’s bench – Mayo was the driving force Friday – outscored Walker Valley 24-2.
The Bearettes (19-0, 6-0) had a 26-13 lead at halftime and nursed a shaky 35-26 advantage into the fourth quarter. Howard’s layup with 6:46 left pushed Bradley’s lead to 40-26.
Later, Mayo’s 3 extended the Bearettes’ margin to 50-32 – Bradley’s largest lead of the game – with 2:24 on the clock, but failed to score another point.
Lay made two free throws. Clark knocked down a 3 off an Abbey Davis assist and the Lady Mustangs (9-7, 2-4) trailed 50-37. Walker Valley, which had committed just one foul, began fouling – two by Clark and one by Davis, who then got a steal only to have Clark cough up possession with a turnover with 31 seconds left.
Davis fouled Howard, who missed the first free throw, and Walker Valley’s Emily Anderson got the rebound. Howard blocked Davis’ jump shot and Hannah Lombard came up with the rebound, but immediately turned the ball over with 23 seconds on the clock. Davis made a layup and Bradley led 50-39.
With eight seconds showing, Clark drained a 3, Howard was fouled and missed the free throw and time expired.
The Bearettes have a two-game lead over three teams – East Hamilton, McMinn County and Cleveland – in the district standings and will take off from the league schedule to host Cookeville on Tuesday. Bradley will follow up with key league contests against McMinn County and East Hamilton on Jan. 19 and 23, respectively.
Friday’s game was a challenge for Bradley, which has won 50 of its last 51 games and 11 straight against the Lady Mustangs, who get another crack at Bradley on Feb. 6.
Boxscore
Walker Valley 9 4 13 16 – 42
Bradley Central 13 13 9 15 – 50
Walker Valley (42) – Davis 2, Macey Clark 17, Anderson 7, Lauren Lay 10, Jones 4, Nipper, Baker 2, Fowler, Harris.
Bradley Central (50) – Hughes, Roberts, Rhyne Howard 18, Walker 3, Lombard 5, Cambree Mayo 13, Blair 6, Barnes 5.
3-Point Goals – Walker Valley 6 (Clark 5, Lay 1), Bradley Central 9 (Howard 3, Mayo 3, Blair 2, Lombard 1).
(Contact Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and on Twitter @larryfleming44)