Lady Trojans Survive Overtime at Northeast, Take 69-68 Playoff Win

By Mark H. Stowers

It took an extra quarter in Booneville but the Mississippi Delta Lady Trojans survived overtime and took the win, 69-68 over the Lady Tigers of Northeast. The Lady Tigers season ends with a 17-13 overall record. The Lady Trojans, now 20-6 overall, will have to take another Region 23 Playoff road trip, this time to Pearl River, 25-2, who defeated LSU-Eunice, 70-49.

Layla Carter was the Lady Trojan with ice in her veins as she nailed two free throws at the end of regulation to take the game into overtime and then hit two one of two with 15 seconds left. A flurry of action including turnovers by both teams in the final seconds and foul on the Lady Trojans put Northeast on the line but Audria Houston only hit one of two free throws. Even though Northeast rebounded the miss, the final shot missed the mark and the Lady Trojans survived to advance.

Carter led all scorers with 25 points. Lauren Nelson was the workhorse inside with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Shamiya Sullivan added 14 points and nine rebounds for the Lady Trojans.

The Lady Trojans were cold on outside shooting as they missed all five of their three-point attempts. The crucial difference was at the free throw line as the Lady Trojans converted 19-of-26 for 73 percent while Northeast hit 17-of-25 for 68 percent. 

The Lady Trojans will face Pearl River on Saturday, March 15 at 5:30 p.m.