The Chillicothe Lady Hornets hosted Savannah Friday in an MEC matchup. Chillicothe entered 18-3 while Savannah was 19-1 with the Savages only loss coming to Chillicothe in the Savannah Tournament Championship game back in December, 50-45.
It was a back and forth start to the game with both teams knocking down multiple three pointers early. Lexy Smith connected from deep to put Chillicothe ahead inside the final five seconds of the first quarter. Not to be outdone, Taylor Hilsabeck drained one at the buzzer from the logo, just a couple steps inside half-court to tie the game at 11-11 at the end of one.
Savannah used the momentum to score the first four points of the 2nd quarter and the Savages 15-11 lead was the largest for either side in the first half. Savannah held a 19-16 edge at halftime.
The Lady Hornets offensive struggles from the 2nd quarter continued in the 3rd, only able to manage a combined 9 points in the middle two quarters. Savannah’s aggressive defense slowed down the Lady Hornets and Chillicothe trailed 25-20 entering the 4th quarter.
The first two points of the 4th quarter went to Savannah opening up the largest lead of the game when Chillicothe fought back and produced a run of their own. Lydia Bonderer hit a three, Lyla Beetsma attacked on a baseline drive and then Lexy Smith knocked down her 4th three of the night to put Chillicothe ahead 29-27 capping off a 9-0 run.
Savannah went back ahead on a basket by Mylee Schrick in the lane with under a minute to play. After Chillicothe was unable to score the Lady Hornets fouled Hilsabeck who made two free throws. Chillicothe had one final chance but with three seconds to go the inbounds pass was stolen and Savannah finished with the final run of the game, scoring the last five to win 32-29.
The Lady Hornets drop to 18-4 and 1-2 in the MEC. Savannah is now 20-1 and 3-0 in conference play. The Lady Hornets will be at Lafayette Tuesday for another Midland Empire Conference showdown.
Chillicothe 11 16 20 29
Savannah 11 19 25 32
Individual scoring:
Chillicothe – Smith 13, Beetsma 9, Emerson Staton 4, Lydia Bonderer 3
Savannah – Hilsabeck 10, Schrick 9, Macee Blythe 6, Ella Scott 5, Averi Shepherd 2