Lancaster girls breeze to first-round victory over Seneca Bobcats

The defending 3A state champion Lancaster Bruins made an early statement in the first round of their title defense. The home team jumped on the Seneca Bobcats early and had a 23-2 lead after one quarter before their guests settled in. Lancaster held on from there for a 71-48 opening round victory over the Bobcats Tuesday night in Lancaster. Malia Rivers led the Bruins with ten of her game-high 29 points in the opening period. The scoring was 48-46 Lancaster from that point on but the Bruins were able to maintain their large early advantage.

TURNING POINT

The Bruins took any drama out of this one early as they put a strangle-hold on the game with the 23-2 first quarter.

CRITICAL

Lancaster (18-3) had 11 different players scratch the scoresheet. With the lead “cut” to 20, Rivers hit a three with 4:40 remaining in the third period and also got knocked to the floor. She drained the free throw to complete the four-point play and push the Lancaster advantage back out to 45-21.

STAR CONTRIBUTORS

Rivers led all scorers with 29 points and her usual outstanding floor game. Keyotta Garris joined her in double figures with 11. Anne Hamilton Leroy played a very smooth game and led the Bobcats with 18 points. Jessica Sparks had 12 and nailed three from long distance for Seneca.

OVERHEARD

“We finally got everybody back,” Lancaster coach Ronnie Robinson said of how he feels about where the team is right now. “Some of our young ones are starting to peak.”

“They’ve got a real good guard that’s committed to Kentucky (Kameron Roach) and another six-foot guard (Dejah Williford) committed to play college ball,” Robinson said of the Bruins’ next opponent, Lower Richland.

ON DECK

Lancaster will host Lower Richland Thursday night at 7 p.m. . Seneca’s season ends with a 15-9 mark.

BOX SCORE

This story was originally published February 16, 2016 at 9:13 PM with the headline "Lancaster girls breeze to first-round victory over Seneca Bobcats."