sports@standard-democrat.com
O'FALLON -- The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs basketball team finished off its run in the 21st Annual St. Dominic Christmas Tournament with a consolation championship victory over Timberland, upsetting the fifth-seeded Wolves 52-40 on Monday morning at St. Dominic High School.
The sixth-seeded Lady Bulldogs forced 38 turnovers against Timberland and limited them to 44 percent shooting to pull away for the win.
"It's good to come out 2-1 and with a trophy and head into the break 6-3," Sikeston coach Matt Schonhoff said. "We couldn't make layups to extend the lead and the game was too close for comfort, but it was a good win for us."
Sikeston jumped out to a 17-12 first quarter lead and still held a 28-24 advantage heading into halftime.
Schonhoff said his team's defensive pressure was able to turn up to higher level in the second half.
"They had two real good post players and we needed to put as much pressure on them as possible," Schonhoff said. "Both of them were good ball handlers in the full court but we were able to force some turnovers on them with some errant passes and a few double dribbles. In the third quarter our defensive intensity turned up and we had some steals and conversions."
Sikeston (6-3) carried a 42-35 edge into the fourth quarter where they put the game away, although not as quickly as Schonhoff had hoped.
"We had missed opportunities with layups and free throws throughout the fourth quarter and we should have put the game away sooner than we did, but we were still able to get pressure on them and they weren't able to score much," Schonhoff said.
Sikeston held Timberland to four points in the fourth quarter.
The Lady Bulldogs were led in scoring by Tyeshia Mitchell's 14 points and seven rebounds. Erica Peet followed up with 11 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. Peet was named to the All-Tournament team.
"They're a good combination together," Schonhoff said of Mitchell and Peet. "They're athletic, especially in the paint where they can rebound and score inside. They handle it pretty well in the open court."
Sikeston finished with 18 steals as a team led by Zayteanna Williams' five steals off the bench.
"All in all it's a good team win," Schonhoff said. "We had some people come off the bench and play well. Zayteanna Williams is one in particular that really contributed. She came in when we had some foul trouble and she really set the tone with her hustle and intensity. We had a lot of kids step up todayand made quality shots when we needed it and our intensity and pressure was good the entire game."
Sikeston 17 11 14 10 -- 52
Timberland 12 12 11 4 -- 40
SIKESTON (52) -- Tyeshia Mitchell 14, Erica Peet 11, Tyra Bonner 8, Kiara Steward 6, Zayteanna Williams 5, Alexis Boyd 5, Larisa McClellan 2, Dominique Roach 1. FG 20, FT 9-22, F 18. (3-pointers: Steward 1. Fouled out: none).
TIMBERLAND (40) -- Ilona Holod 11, Fletcher 8, Jordyn Armstrong 6, Devin Cross 4, Maia Hopkins 4, Jordan Gittemeier 4, Megan Holmes 2, Nicole Bascio 1. FG 15, FT 10-15, F 20. (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: Armstrong)