By MATT KING\Daily Journal Sports Writer

Published: Thursday, February 16, 2006
Updated: Thursday, February 16, 2006 12:29 PM CST

PARK HILLS - The Mineral Area College women's basketball team bounced back nicely from its most demoralizing loss of the season against nationally-ranked Moberly by posting its most convincing victory on Wednesday night.

Five players scored in double figures for the Lady Cardinals, who forced 27 turnovers in a 107-50 home win against overmatched and short-handed conference foe, Florissant Valley.

Mineral Area (13-9) was efficient on offense throughout the night, not only scoring frequently in transition, but also by working the basketball inside from the half-court set.

After Britany Sublett scored on a baseline entry pass from Dawn Leathers, Natalie Rozenfeld finished an excellent 3-on-1 break to give the home team an early 19-8 advantage.

Fatigue and foul trouble rapidly took a collective toll on Florissant Valley (8-17), which suited up just six players for the contest. The Norsewomen managed to tally just 13 field goals during the action, but achieved nearly half of their point total by going 22-34 at the free-throw line.

The margin quickly swelled to 46-21 when Whitney Washington hit her second three-pointer of the opening half after Mayra Rios cashed two quick steals into layups in a span of six seconds.

MAC closed the half with a well-executed lob pass to Sublett, who beat the buzzer with a short bank shot for a 56-24 lead. The second half would feature more dominance by the Lady Cardinals, including a 10-0 scoring run that made it 77-35.

Rozenfeld took control in the paint to score 17 of her game-high 23 points in the final 15 minutes of action. Washington provided the compliment down the stretch from the perimeter, ending the night with five triples and 17 points.

Rios and Sublett each scored 15 points, and Neicole Whitiker chipped in 10 for the Lady Cardinals. Sublett also pulled down six rebounds.

Freshman Tasha Moss set the pace for Florissant Valley with 16 points. Rachel Brandon netted 11 points and Paige Nicosin added 10 with a game-high eight boards.

Mineral Area will shoot for its second win in region play on Saturday against rival Three Rivers as part of Homecoming.

Florissant Valley 24 26 - 50

Mineral Area 56 51 - 107

SCORING:

Florissant Valley - Moss 16, Brandon 11, Nicosin 10, Kirby 9, Carlson 2, Hanks 2.

Mineral Area - Rozenfeld 23, Washington 17, Sublett 15, Rios 15, Whitiker 10, Leathers 8, E Anderson 7, Jackson 6, Henderson 4, Hollins 2.

3-point FG - Washington 5, Whitiker 2, E Anderson, Brandon, Kirby.