By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

Published: Sunday, November 08, 2009
Updated: Sunday, November 8, 2009 4:08 AM CST

PARK HILLS — Sophomore forward Shelli Liverpool posted a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds, and the Mineral Area women’s basketball team rallied past Olney Central 72-65 on Saturday afternoon.

Karley Evans tallied 11 points with five assists, and Gail Williams provided an energetic spark with eight second-half points for the Lady Cardinals (1-1), who dominated the bench scoring 41-6.

Olney Central (0-2) committed just seven turnovers and threatened to spoil the home opener for MAC after consecutive 3-pointers from sophomore Rebecca Bryant highlighted an impressive 13-0 start.

Bryant netted a game-high 22 points including 6-for-13 effort from long range, and played all 40 minutes as the Blue Knights rotated only seven players into their lineup.

Freshman guard Taylor Jensen answered with a pair of threes after Mineral Area missed its first five shots from the field, and the host squad utilized its depth to continue chipping away before halftime.

Liverpool scored inside with a strong up-and-under move before adding a transition putback. Hanna Vette closed the half with a pull-up jumper in the lane that gave the Lady Cardinals a 30-29 advantage.

Mineral Area was focused on controlling the paint after the break, compiling an overall plus-21 margin on the boards, and gradually pulled away behind a series of quick transition baskets.

Outlet passes from Jensen found Molly Barnes and Sonya Milford behind the Olney Central defense for easy layups, and Liverpool dribbled a long rebound coast to coast to make it 45-38.

The Blue Knights suffered a scoreless drought covering more than four minutes after twice drawing within five points, and could not contain the Lady Cardinals’ persistent hustle.

After a diving effort from Evans forced a turnover, Williams crashed the glass for her second strong putback, extending the difference to double figures with 6:31 remaining.

Barnes made a sideline steal and found a breaking Jensen for another layup moments later. Jensen and Barnes added eight points each, and Vette pulled down seven boards in the victory.

MAC possessed its largest lead of 70-56 following a baseline jumper from Emily Brumitt, and shot 50 percent from the floor during the second half.

Jessica Schurman finished with 10 points while Jessica Allen and Aspree Hamilton chipped in nine each for Olney Central. Nikki Sims collected nine rebounds off the bench.

Mineral Area will host SW Illinois at 5:30 p.m. The same two schools will meet in men’s action at 7:30 p.m.

Olney Central  30  35 - 65

Mineral Area   31  41 - 72

SCORING:

Olney Central - Bryant 22, Schurman 10, Steiner 9, Allen 9, Hamilton 9, Sims 6. 3-point FG - Bryant 6, Steiner 3, Schurman 2.

Mineral Area - Liverpool 14, Evans 11, Williams 8, Barnes 8, Jensen 8, Milford 6, Brumitt 5, Oertel 4, Vette 4, Tisza 2, White 2. 3-point FG - Jensen 2, Brumitt, Evans.

Free Throws:  OLC 10-14, MAC 10-18

Total Rebounds: OLC 29, MAC 50

Turnovers:  OLC 7, MAC 10