Lady Bulldogs fail to capitalize on turnovers, lose to Lady Tigers

Photo by Mike Eckels Sammie Skaggs (Decatur 24) puts up a one-hand jump shot late in the third quarter of the Decatur-Exeter senior girls' basketball contest at Peterson Gym in Decatur Friday. The Lady Bulldogs lost to the Lady Tigers, 39-23, in the first home game of the season.

Photo by Mike Eckels Sammie Skaggs (Decatur 24) puts up a one-hand jump shot late in the third quarter of the Decatur-Exeter senior girls' basketball contest at Peterson Gym in Decatur Friday. The Lady Bulldogs lost to the Lady Tigers, 39-23, in the first home game of the season.

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

DECATUR -- The air was filled with the sounds of enthusiastic Decatur fans as the Lady Bulldogs hosted the Lady Tigers of Exeter (Mo.) on Friday night for their first home game of the season. But the fans were in for a letdown as Decatur struggled throughout the contest and eventually lost its second game of the season.

It was a slow start for the Lady Bulldogs, only scoring five points in the first quarter. The Lady Tigers struggled on the boards as well, holding only a slim three-point lead, 8-5, in the first quarter.

The second quarter was a repeat of the first and neither team gained much of an advantage over the other. Exeter was able to extend its lead to 17-11 going into the halftime break.

The Lady Bulldogs stepped up their defense throughout much of the second half, forcing several Exeter turnovers. However, the Decatur girls were unable to capitalize on the Exeter mistakes and missed several scoring opportunities. Had the Lady Bulldogs hit half these shots, the outcome of the contest would have been a different story.

In the end, the Exeter Lady Tigers prevailed, handing the Lady Bulldogs their first home defeat, 39-23.

Samantha Skaggs led the Lady Bulldogs, with her third game in double figures, at 11 points. Senior Jacqueline Herrera contributed 7 points to the Decatur scoring effort, followed by Paige Vann with 5.

The Decatur Lady Bulldogs have one more contest before the Thanksgiving break. They will travel south to face the Gentry Lady Pioneers in the Gentry High School gym Nov. 20. The Lady Bulldogs will be back in action Nov. 27 when they co-host the Decatur Holiday Hoop Basketball Tournament at Peterson Gym in Decatur.

To view the tournament brackets for the tournament, visit decatursd.com.

Sports on 11/22/2017