Lady Saints Finish 2-0 in the Otero Classic to Start the Season

Liberal, Kansas – Seward County wrapped up their season opening weekend in Colorado with another win to head back home 2-0 after finishing the Otero Classic with a strong 68-55 win over Eastern Wyoming.

The Lady Saints continued where they left off from day one with a pair of three-pointers from Kylee Hunt to kick off the contest that was followed by a mid-range floater from Ari Gordon to push SCCC ahead 8-2 four minutes into the first quarter. Biyyanah Ellis entered the game and made an immediate impact as she drove the baseline straight to the rim while Avery Marchino and Maddie Kincaide each sunk a triple to grow the lead into double figures. Destiny Alexander entered in and used her strength to power through contact in the pain for an and-one opportunity that helped Seward County end the first ahead 23-8 over EWC.

Quarter two was a different story for both sides as the two teams struggled to lift the lid on the rim with the Lady Saints only able to sink a single free throw through the first five minutes of the quarter to keep their lead strong at 24-11. Marchino was able to help spark a small offensive spurt with a corner three to keep the SCCC lead in double digits at 32-22. Three straight made free throws from Eastern Wyoming however closed the gap back down to seven as Seward County entered the halftime break still out in front 32-25.

SCCC's high scoring offense returned to the floor in the third with the Lady Saints swiftly growing their lead with Allie Myers using her length to snatch up a steal and take it all the way for two. Hunt added on a few more scores at the rim including a strong reverse for an and-one that kept Seward County far and away from EWC while a Alexander scores back-to-back buckets in the paint to stretch the Lady Saints' lead to 48-32. With time winding down and SCCC trying to prevent a push from their opponent, lock down defense from Myers allowed Seward County to get one final chance to score that was cashed in by Chloe Burnham from the top of the arc to head into the fourth up 57-36.

Struggles reappeared in the fourth for the Lady Saints who could not buy a basket in the first three minutes until Kincaide found open space for a jumper to keep her team's lead alive at 59-43. Kezia Grant-Bobb used her athleticism to get past her defender with a euro-step layup heading into the final four minutes and despite a final spurt from EWC to trim away at the SCCC lead, Seward County was able to use their strong defensive presence to come out on top with a 68-55 win.

The Lady Saints now improve to 2-0 on the 2024-25 season as Seward County heads home for a pair of home games in the upcoming week with a Tuesday matchup against Western Texas before facing Otero at home on Thursday.