The Lee-Scott Lady Warriors used a stifling man-to-man defense and hot outside shooting to take a 51-16 halftime lead on their way to a 77-27 win over the Morgan Academy Lady Senators Friday in Elite Eight action at Roland Arena on the campus of Huntingdon College.

Lady Senator’s head coach Robert Andress knew his team had a mountain to climb coming in as Lee-Scott (26-2) was the top seed and had the hottest shooting, quickest guards he’d seen in a long time.

“Their three guards are the best on any one team I’ve seen in years, and I’ve seen about all of them,” he said.

Jessica Washington, who only played 14 minutes for the Lady Warriors, shot 67 percent from the floor, going 24-of-36 from the field, including 10-of-16 from 3-point range to lead all scorers with 40 points.

“She shot the ball incredibly well,” said Lady Warriors head coach Chad Prewett. “She got some open looks early and was able to knock them down.”

At the half Andress stressed to his team not to give up.

“I told them not to be intimidated, to play the best they could,” he said. “But we were just outmatched.”

Prewett said defense has been the key to his team’s success this year and that was evident as they forced the Lady Senators into 25 turnovers. Andress knew handling the Warriors’ full-court defense would be crucial if they were going to make a game of it.

“They do that to everybody,” he said. “If they want to full court press and get the ball, they can do it.”

Washington led all scorers with Olivia Maddox and Melissa Maddox each scoring 11 for the Lady Warriors. Washington, Melissa Maddox and Ashley Leonard led Lee-Scott on defense with four rebounds each with Melissa Maddox got seven steals.

For the Lady Senators (10-15), April Clark led with 13 points and six rebounds with Sarah Hughey scoring five points and Caitlin Henderson and Brook Robertson each scoring four points. Kalli Jones added one point.

On defense, Clark led with six rebounds and Henderson and Hughey tallied three boards each. Robertson, Rachel Smith, Anne Woodruff, Rachel Gomes and Julie McGowan each pulled down two rebounds.