The Mustang Broncos survived a slow start on route to a 68-35 blowout win over Lawton Eisenhower on Tuesday night at Yukon High School.
The Broncos surrendered an 8-0 lead before scoring their first basket – a Mya Alston (So.) three-pointer – with just over five minutes remaining in the first quarter. From there, they had their Bedlam rival and the regional championship game in sight.
“We had a rocky start,” junior guard Cherish Haywood said after the game. “We couldn’t make shots and we weren’t really moving. It felt like we weren’t really warmed up and we weren’t playing well defensively.
“But as soon as we started picking those things up, we got back into it.”
Mya Alston (So.) looks to drive during a game at the Mustang Event Center earlier this season. Alston scored a game-high 20 points for the Broncos in their 68-35 win over Lawton Ike on Tuesday night at Yukon High School. (Photo by Shelly Holinsworth / Freelance Action Photography)
Haywood scored 12 points with four rebounds and three steals in the victory. Alston, whose first triple broke a 0-for-5 start from the floor for the Broncos, led the team with 20 points and six boards.
Mustang trailed 16-14 after the first quarter, but soon regained the lead early in the second and never looked back. Coach Katie Smith’s squad held the Eagles scoreless the entire period while scoring 17 points for a 31-16 halftime lead.
From there, the Broncos rolled off 37-19 run. Mustang forced 24 turnovers and out-rebounded Ike 23-12 with 11 steals.
Christal Long (Jr.) scored in double digits with 10 points. She also grabbed four rebounds.
Seniors Parker Simonsen and Kamryn Bass each scored six points while Eliana Valentin Florance (Jr.) scored five. Camryn Engles (Sr.) scored four points and pulled down four boards.
“It’s good because we can lean on each other for scoring,” Haywood said of the team’s all-around effort. “We can trust everybody to hit shots.”
With the win, the Broncos advance to the regional championship game against Bedlam rival Yukon. The two teams tip off on Friday at 3:30 p.m. at YHS.
