Lady Indians sweep season from Lady Panthers, with 45-38 win

Delaynie Dearmond scored the first two points of the game, added a dozen more in the first half, then finished with another dozen in the second half to lead the Du Quoin Lady Indians to a 45-38 win at Pinckneyville on Monday night.

Indians Head Coach Shawn File spoke highly of Dearmond and her "best in high school" game, as she described it. He also singled out Maya Russell and Maddie Robison for coming off the bench and "playing like seniors."

Meanwhile, the Panthers went with youth, starting three sophomores and two juniors, and Head Coach Alan Engelhardt noted his teaam had difficulty finishing offensively, even after working to get good shots.

Du Quoin held a one-point advantage after the first quarter with Dearmond scoring nine and juniors Abbi Mocaby and Ayann Dunklin chipping in two each. The Lady Panthers were led by four each from junior Lily Tanner and freshman Emily Baggett, while sophomore Olivia Wiggers hit a 3-pointer and sophomore Mo Morgenthaler added a free throw for the Panthers' 12 point effort.

The Indians' advantage grew to 25-17 at half behind five more points by Dearmond, a 3-pointer by junior Lauren Heape, and field goals by juniors Grace Alongi and Maddie Robison. The Panthers got a 3-pointer by Tanner and a field goal by Emily Ruppert.

Du Quoin worked well for open shots and rebounded defensively, limiting the Panthers to one shot per trip as they struggled offensively against the tough Indian defense.

In the 3rd quarter, Du Quoin added to their lead as Dearmond scored on one field goal and three free throws. Dearmond said she and her teammates trust each other to get the ball to the open player, and Ayanna Dunklin was open for four points and Grace Alongi for two.

The Panthers made a run, cutting the lead to six at 30-24 and prompting a Du Quoin timeout. But Panther turnovers and a runout layup by Alongi stretched the lead back to 10. Morgenthaler tried to keep the Panthers close as she hit a 3-pointer and two field goals for seven of her team-leading 11 for the game, but Du Quoin led 36-26 after three.

Pinckneyville started with a turnover in the 4th quarter, and Dearmond took advantage with a field goal. She added a 3-pointer and 2 free throws to complete her 26-point game. The Panthers made a comeback but couldn't get closer than six points. Morgenthaler, Wiggers and Baggett each hit a 3-pointer; Lily Tanner scored inside and added a free throw for the Panthers' 12 points in the quarter.

For Du Quoin, Maddie Robison and Abbi Mocaby each hit free throws to wrap up the 45-38 win and secure the season sweep, as the Indians beat the Panthers 40-34 at home earlier in the season.

Scoring

Du Quoin: Dearmond, 26; Dunklin, 6; Alongi, 4; Robison, 3; Mocaby, 3; Heape, 3.

Pinckneyville: Morgenthaler, 11; Tanner, 10; Baggett, 9; Wiggers, 6; Ruppert, 2.