By Terri Barker

Staff Writer

After losing to the Gunter Lady Tigers earlier in district play on the road, the Lady Cardinals wanted revenge Tuesday night along with a better seed in the postseason.

As the defense-dominated game ensued, all who attended knew the outcome would be decided in the final seconds. It proved to be true when Jacqui Nickell hit a layup with 15 seconds left to tie the game at 29. After Gunter player missed the front end of a one-and-one, Skyler Zadow grabbed the rebound and sprinted down the court, where she missed her layup. Fellow senior Keleigh Taylor grabbed the rebound, spun around and hit a jump shot as time expired for the win, 31-29.

The first period was low-scoring because the defenses for both teams were superb. Nickell put the first points on the board a minute into the contest. Three minutes and 46 seconds later, the Tigers finally scored.

In the second quarter, the teams exchanged several unforced turnovers. The Lady Cards missed several shots. Nickell shot a trey and Claighton Bush added three free throws for the only Melissa points.

After being outscored in the first two periods, Melissa's offense opened up and outscored the Tigers by a basket. Taylor scored three of her seven points in the third and Zadow added a trey.

Down by only two points to start the fourth, Nickell opened the final period with a trey for a brief MHS lead. Gunter answered quickly and took the lead for most of the remainder of the quarter.

With 36 seconds left, the Lady Cardinals' Shelby Hill and Morgan Helmberger applied defensive pressure which gave Melissa the last two possessions in the final seconds for the win.

The victory put Melissa in second place with two district games remaining.

The team's seniors were recognized Tuesday night. This year's seniors include Skyler Zadow, Keleigh Taylor and Morgan Helmberger.

Melissa 3 6 8 14 31

Gunter 6 7 6 10 29

Jacqui Nickell 14, Keleigh Taylor 7, Skyler Zadow 4, Claighton Bush 3, Shelby Hill 3

19-8 Season Record, District 10-2

The Lady Cardinals put on a defensive show Friday in Whitewright, leading 24-0 at halftime en route to a 41-11 win.

Melissa 11 13 13 4 41

Whitewright 0 0 3 8 11

Melissa: Skyler Zadow 13, Shelby Hill 7, Keleigh Taylor 6, Jacqui Nickell 5, Morgan Helmberger 4, Claighton Bush 4, Maddie Simmons 2.