The Webster Groves Statesmen needed to make their free throws to maintain the lead. The Jefferson City Lady Jays needed to make their free throws to cut into the deficit.
The Statesmen did what they needed to do. The Lady Jays did not.
Webster Groves was 13-of-15 from the line in the fourth quarter Saturday afternoon while Jefferson City was 3-of-11 as the Statesmen held on for a 55-49 victory at Fleming Fieldhouse in Jefferson City.
"That's really the story of the game," Lady Jays coach Kristie Douglas-Wiley said.
The Statesmen, who led 36-35 after three quarters, opened the final period with a 10-3 run to stretch their lead to eight. A layup by Tayler LePage pulled the Lady Jays to within two at 46-44 with 1:55 remaining before the Statesmen rattled off five straight points to push its advantage back to seven with 30 seconds left.
Megan Foster of the Lady Jays drilled a 3-pointer with :10 left to cut the Statesmen lead to 51-49. But Webster Groves went 4-for-4 from the line to close out the contest.
The game was tied at 10 after a frenetic first quarter. Webster Groves took a 26-22 lead into halftime.
"They controlled the tempo a little more than we did," Douglas-Wiley said. "It allowed them to run like they wanted to do.
"We didn't do a very good job of slowing them down."
A 5-0 run midway through the third quarter gave Jefferson City its final lead of the game at 31-30.
Nicole Martin and Foster finished with 12 points each to lead the Lady Jays, while Alexis Roberson added 11 off the bench. Martin had a double-double in the game, pulling down 11 rebounds.
Webster Groves finished with a 30-29 edge on the boards, which also played a big role in the final outcome.
"We thought we had a huge height advantage and we thought we would control the rebounding," Douglas-Wiley said.
Jaidah Stewart paced four Webster Groves players in double figures with 14 points. Rachael Sondag added 13, while Erica Waelterman had 11 and Mal Moran 10.
"They were scrappy and they get after you," Douglas-Wiley said. "It's the type of team we need to be playing right now."
Jefferson City (12-9) is back in action Monday at Ozark.
III
The four Jefferson City seniors - Destinee Milton, Louisa Nylander, Kaley Ruff and Sidney McMillan - were honored prior to the final home game of the season.
"In the short time I've been here, I can tell the value of those four both on and off the court," said Douglas-Wiley, who is in her first year with the program. "I'm glad they chose to be a part of the program and help build it back up."
Milton and Nylander both started Saturday's game. Ruff and McMillan are both injured.
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