By Benny Rogers, TVCC Sports Information
The Lady Cardinals moved to No. 1 in the nation Wednesday morning and then went out that night and scored a hard-earned 64-45 win on the road against Kilgore.
Coach Elena Lovato’s squad, now 25-1 overall and 12-0 in Region XIV Conference, had just eight players in uniform due to injuries and illness. They played the second half with seven players when Adut Bulgak was injured in the opening 30 seconds of the second half.
The Lady Cardinals led 25-17 at the half.
Shannon Smith paced the Lady Cardinals with 14 points. Kyhonta Doughty had 10, Bulgak nine and Julianne Anchling and Savannah Carter eight each.
Shlonte’ Allen (injury) and Roddricka Patton (illness) did not play.
The Lady Cardinals are scheduled to travel Saturday to Jacksonville for a 4 p.m. It will be the Lady Cardinals’ last road conference game of the season. They finish with three home games.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
The Cardinals fell 79-57 to 22nd-ranked Kilgore on the road Wednesday night.
Kilgore outscored the Cardinals 29-15 in the final 12:04 of the first half to pull away and open to a 41-28 halftime lead. With 10:00 left in the game, Kilgore was up 61-39.
Karon Phillips, Jarion Henry and Dominique Elliott scored eight points each to lead the Cardinals. Octavius Ellis, Carl Porter and Jhaustin Thomas netted seven each.
The Cardinals are open Saturday and return to action next Wednesday at Carthage against Panola.
SOFTBALL
The Lady Cardinals are scheduled to play their home opener Friday against Grayson at Cain Park. Doubleheader action is set to begin at 1 p.m.
Coach Ashley Johnston’s squad carries a 6-4 season record into the contest after going 3-3 in the Cow Town Tournament in Fort Worth last weekend. The Lady Cardinals had 53 hits in the six games.
Saturday, the Lady Cardinals are also scheduled to be at home, facing Grambling State in doubleheader action at 1 and 3 p.m. Former Lady Cardinal Amanda Lester plays for Grambling State.
The Lady Cardinals are also scheduled to be at home Monday against North Central Texas. Action starts at 1 p.m. Game 2 will begin at 3 p.m.