Camden – A 30-point scoring night from Lady Jag sophomore Ashley Welch wasn’t enough for the Wilcox Central Lady Jaguars in their 61-55 loss to the Carver Lady Wolverines.

“Carver’s tight defense kept us from getting the ball on the inside as much as we wanted, said Lady Jag coach John Abraham. “They hit all but one of their free throws in the fourth and we turned the ball over twice in a row when we were down two with just three minutes to go.”

The Lady Wolverines knocked down 11 of 12 free throw attempts in the 4th quarter, which turned out to be the difference in the game.

Carver coach Michelle Simmons added, “I told my team that the game is close, we’re playing in their home town, so free throws are give-me’s,”

Two crucial back-to-back turnovers in the fourth quarter foiled WC’s chance to take advantage of the game.

The Lady Jaguars clawed and fought throughout this contest including a great defensive effort.

They forced the Lady Wolverines to shoot from the perimeter the entire game, but got in foul trouble late in the third quarter.

Wilcox Central was able to pack the ball inside during the first quarter, but Carver’s three 3-pointers in the quarter kept them in the game.

The first quarter closed with WC up 16 – 13. The Lady Wolverines fought its way back in the second to take a 27 – 26 at the half. Welch pumped in eight points in each of the first two quarters.

There were four lead changes and three ties in the third quarter.

Again the Lady Jag defense forced Carver to rely on jump shots. But Wilcox didn’t score on the offensive end the last four minutes of the quarter and found themselves down 39 – 35 at the end of the quarter.

Welch’s three-point play at the beginning of the fourth brought the Lady Jags back to within one.

But the Lady Wolverines outscored the Lady Jags 10 – 2, including 5 of 6 free throws, in the next two minutes to go up 49 – 40 with 5:24 left in the game.

WC went on a 7 – 0 run to come within two of the lead when the two consecutive turnovers thwarted their comeback. Carver went up 54 – 49 with :50 seconds left to play and held on to win. Final score: 61 – 55.

Welch had a game high 12 rebounds to go with her 30 points. Sheronica

Finkler added 14 points and 8 rebounds for Wilcox Central (8 – 10).