Fouls lead to free throws, and 27 fouls lead to a lot more free throws.
Though the Aurora Lady Houns shot only 43 percent (14 of 32) from the free-throw line, they had 32 attempts, which led to a 37-32 win over the McDonald County Lady Mustangs on Jan. 4 at Aurora High School.
"We got behind late and had to start fouling, and they shot a bunch of free throws," said coach Chris Kennedy. "That has a lot to do with us being off for so long (last game was Dec. 13). It was one of those things we tried to anticipate and do some five-on-five game situations in practice, but it just wasn't there tonight. If we shoot any kind of a percentage or don't make as many unforced turnovers that killed us, we would have had a chance."
McDonald County, which had five players foul out, made two more field goals than Aurora, but while Aurora made 14 free throws, the Lady Mustangs made just six of 12 attempts.
McDonald County started the game by scoring the first six points but did not score again in the first quarter, while Aurora scored the final eight points of the quarter for an 8-6 lead.
McDonald County managed only two free throws in the second quarter and went to the locker room trailing 17-8 at halftime.
The Lady Mustangs reeled off nine consecutive points in the first two and half minutes of the third quarter to tie the game at 17-17, but Aurora closed out the period with an 8-0 run for a 25-17 lead.
"The first half we were kind of slow, but to start the second we got going," Kennedy said. "We came out and made a game of it, but then we got in foul trouble and they made some shots."
Sam Frazier led the Lady Mustangs with 12 points in limited action due to foul trouble throughout the game. Kristin Penn and Mattie Leach added six points each, while Addy Mick added four points, Lily Allman had two and Rita Santillan and Ragan Wilson had one each.
Aurora was led by Elizabeth Martin with 14 points and Ashley Vaught with 10.
There was no junior varsity or freshman game due to Aurora having just 10 players.
McDonald County falls to 3-8 heading into its Jan. 8 game at Carl Junction. The Lady Mustangs celebrate their 2019 homecoming on Jan. 11 when they host the Seneca Lady Indians.
Sports on 01/10/2019