Offensive struggles plagued the Lady Cougars early on in their match-up with the Gilmer County Lady Cats on the first night of the ETC Tip-Off Tournament Saturday, November 21.
The Lady Cougars started to find a rhythm in the second half, but it was too late as the lady Cats topped the Lady Cougars 70-26.
Sapporiah Ross and Skyler Nipper led the Lady Cougars in the first quarter, as Ross converted two free throws and Nipper rattled in a two-point basket to give the Lady Cougars four points. Gilmer was able to score 19 points in the first to take a 19-4 lead.
Gilmer continued to find a groove on offense as they scored 24 points in the second quarter.
Nipper rattled in two, two-point buckets in the second quarter to give the Lady Cougars four points and eight points in the first half as they trailed Gilmer 43-8 at halftime.
Laney Jory, Riley Smith and Ross combined for five points in the third quarter as Jory and Ross scored a two-point basket each, while Smith converted a free throw. Gilmer scored 20 points in the third to lead 63-13 to start the fourth quarter.
Copper Basin settled in in the fourth, scoring 13 points. Raegan Higdon and Sydney Hickey knocked in a three-point basket each, followed by Lexi Jory netting a two-point basket. Ross had five points in the quarter scoring two, two-point baskets and a free throw.
The efforts by the Lady Cougars were not enough however as the Lady Cats won the game 70-26.