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Lady Mustangs pull away late for victory over Rabun County
Smoky Mountain scored the last 12 points of the game Friday to pull away from a 60-45 non-conference women's basketball victory over Rabun County (Ga.) at the SM gym.
Cetera DeGraffenreid scored 17 points to go with six steals and six assists for the Lady Mustangs (2-1). Leslie Mathis netted 13 points and handed out five assists. Kristine Webb added 12 points and had a dominating night on the boards with 19 rebounds.
Lyndsae Mikell paced the Lady Wildcats with 13 points.
"We gutted one out against a very athletic team," Coach Cindi Simmons said. "I was real pleased with how we finished the game. We showed a lot of poise, executed well and hit our free throws down the stretch."
After trailing throughout the second half, Rabun pulled into a 41-41 tie when Whitey Jowers made one of two foul shots with 4:58 left in the game.
DeGraffenreid went one of two from the line six seconds later putting her team ahead to stay.
The Lady Wildcats were still within 48-45 when Angela Reilly made two free throws at the 2:36 mark.
DeGraffenreid's layup with 2:05 on the clock started the decisive run. She had four in the spurt, as did Mathis.
Rabun opened the game with Reilly and Gracie Deal hitting three-pointers and maintained a 10-9 edge at the quarter break.
The Lady Mustangs scored eight straight points, the last four by Mathis, to open a 19-12 lead with 4:26 to go in the half.
The Lady Wildcats fought back for a 23-23 tie when Mikell scored with 43 seconds to play.
Amy Haggard hit a three-pointer with 30 seconds left putting SM back on top. Webb's basket in the final seconds of the half made it 29-23 at intermission.
The Lady Mustangs held their biggest lead until the final minute at 37-26 on Webb's follow shot with 5:19 to go in the third stanza.
Rabun closed the quarter with a 10-2 run, including five by Desiree Justus, cutting the gap to 39-36.
DeGraffenreid spent parts of the second and third periods on the bench in foul trouble.
"We faced a challenge with Cetera in foul trouble and weathered that storm," Simmons said.
"Kristine dominated the boards and made her presence felt inside all night long," the coach said.
DeGraffenreid made seven field goals and three free throws. Mathis hit four field goals, including a three-pointer, and four foul shots. Webb's points came on five field goals and two free throws.
Haggard and Ameka Buchanan both finished with seven points. Ashley Coggins and Brandi Anders scored two apiece.
The Lady Mustang JVs are 1-2 as they built a big early lead and held on for a 32-20 win. They led at quarter breaks by scores of 11-2, 20-4 and 28-18.
Cayla Cucumber and Kayla Cooper both scored 10 points.
"It's great to get a win," Coach Kim Hardy said. "We've still got to work on our passes. Our defensive rebounding was much better. Looking for the open girl seemed to be better, and we were more patient on offense."
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