BOLIVAR - The Tipton Lady Cardinals held the early lead in the first half, but the Bolivar Lady Liberators responded with a strong second half to win 63-59 on Saturday to conclude the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Classic at Southwest Baptist University.
Tipton led by as many as nine points in the first quarter and was ahead 21-14 after one quarter and 32-29 at halftime. Bolivar continued to chip away at the lead in the second half, and the Lady Liberators outscored the Lady Cardinals 20-16 in the third quarter to take a 49-48 lead into the fourth.
Lexi Berry made 4-of-4 free throws in the final minute to seal the win for Bolivar.
Abby Backes finished with 23 points for the Lady Cardinals, while Myra Claas chipped in with 17.
Tipton (12-3), ranked No. 6 in Class 2, will be the No. 1 seed in the Kaysinger Conference Tournament. The Lady Cardinals play the winner of La Monte and Lincoln in the quarterfinals Saturday at State Fair Community College in Sedalia