Lady Hawks drop tourney final

SCOTT CITY -- The Kelly Lady Hawks fell to Delta 59-36 in the final of the Scott-Mississippi Conference Tournament at Scott City on Saturday.

Champion Delta's switch to a zone defense in the third quarter, to protect a foul-troubled six-player roster, proved to be critical. Starters Tiffany Amelunke and Kayla Seabaugh each had three fouls in the opening half.

Kelly (8-5) trailed 28-23 at the half but managed only two field goals in the third quarter, as Delta forced the Hawks to beat it from the outside.

Delta (12-1) outscored Kelly 20-7 in the decisive period.

"When they went to a zone, that hurt us a little bit," Kelly coach Rod McQuerter said. "We weren't able to make outside shots. We just couldn't make many shots today."

For the Lady Bobcats, freshman Jodi Menz hit a pair of 3-pointers to spark an 8-0 run to start the third. Menz, who finished with 19 points, scored 11 in the third quarter and 15 in the second half.

Ashley Deprow, with 14 first-half points, led Delta with 20 points and Shea Smith added 15.

Nikki Weiny topped the Hawks with nine points, all in the first half. Brittany Ponder scored eight.

Kelly freshman center Debra Hall, who is averaging about 17 points a game, was held to just one point after struggling with early foul trouble.

KELLY (36) -- Nikki Weiny 9, Brittany Ponder 8, Katee Moore 6, Mindy Robert 6, Sarah Ruff 4, Lauren Gean 2, Debra Hall 1. FG 12, FT 10-16, F 22 (3-

pointers: Ponder 1, Moore 1. Fouled out: none). DELTA (59) -- Ashley Deprow 20, Jodi Menz 19, Shea Smith 15, Kaci Menz 4, Tiffany Amelunke 1. FG 20, FT 17-25, F 13 (3-pointers: J. Menz 2. Fouled out: none).