Westmoreland defense wears out Lady Commanders

Westmoreland wore down Friendship Christian with 26 unanswered first-half points to knock out the Lady Commanders in a game not as close as the 47-33 final Monday night at the Sportsplex.
Friendship got the ball inside for an early 7-3 lead before Westmoreland's press and tight man defense forced numerous turnovers to go up 26-7 late in the first half. With Lady Eagle coach Cherie Abner substituting in waves, the Lady Commanders committed 10 of their 15 first-half tournovers in the second quarter and connected on just 3 of 13 shots before the break.
Lindsey Jones scored all but two of her 16 points in the first half for the Lady Eagles, who knocked down 9 of 20 shots to lead 26-8 at halftime.
Trailing 35-15 going into the fourth quarter, Jessi Couch tossed in 10 of her 13 points to trim the final margin for the Lady Commanders, who fell to 11-12 for the season and 7-3 in District 8-A.
Westmoreland finished the game 18-of-40 from the floor as the Lady Eagles improved to 17-8, 10-1.
Katy Vaughan got inside for eight points before fouling out for Friendship while Lindsay Farmer finished with five, eighth-grader Laurel Burroughs a three-point play and Gabbie Lowe and Stephanie Lancaster two each as the Lady Commanders connected on 11 of 38 shots and committed 27 turnovers. Westmoreland lost the ball 18 times.
Lowe secured six rebounds as Friendship outrebounded the visitors 32-26.
The Lady Commanders were coming off a 47-44 loss at Portland on Saturday.
Friendship will host Mt. Juliet Christian at 6:30 p.m. tonight as the Lady Commanders have two district games left – tonight and Friday at home against Merrol Hyde – to seal a first-round home game in the district tournament.
Sports Editor Andy Reed can be reached at 444-3952 ext. 17 or by e-mail at andy.reed@lebanondemocrat.com.