Collinsville and O’Fallon were tied at 15 early in the second quarter Thursday when a Lady Panther parade broke out at the free throw line.
Kassidy Smith drives towards the basket
O’Fallon attempted a staggering 23 free throws in the second quarter at the Panther Dome, connecting on 15. After the game was knotted at 15, the Lady Panthers (1-1 Southwestern Conference, 4-1) outscored the Lady Kahoks 25-7 the remainder of the second quarter, on their way to a 64-46 victory.
The fouls came, initially, when the Lady Kahoks (0-3 SWC, 2-5) played out of control, Head Coach Lori Billy said. “We committed some fouls, but then I thought it got a little ridiculous,” Billy said. “I thought there was some stuff called that was just above and beyond, like they were trying to prove a point, maybe.”
Billy received a technical foul with 3 minutes and 40 seconds remaining in the half. “I guess if I deserved it, then give it to me,” Billy said. “But when you’re asking a question, and you get (a technical foul), it’s a little annoying.”
The Lady Panthers logged a total of 32 free throws in the first half, making 22, which matched Collinsville’s total points scored for the half. The Lady Kahoks made 4 of 6 free throws in the second quarter and 6 of 10 in the first half.
Collinsville also surrendered 10 offensive rebounds in the first half, which led to repeated second chances. The Lady Kahoks have struggled to keep their opponents off the offensive boards all season, Billy said.
“We get caught up in watching the ball go up instead of getting somebody and then spinning and going to the ball,” Billy said. “If we can’t get defensive rebounds, we can’t win a game.”
The teams played to a draw in the second half, with each team scoring 24 points. CHS scored the first six points of the second half, to pull within 12, but never got closer.
Senior guard Lexie Thompson and sophomore guard Carlee Mahan scored nine points apiece to lead Collinsville. Junior guard Paige Giacoletto scored six points and junior forward Samantha Buettner added five. A total of 12 Lady Kahoks scored, many after each team emptied their benches late in the fourth quarter.
O’Fallon senior guard Ciara Jones led all scorers with 15, nine of which came from the charity stripe. Senior guard Blair Butler scored 14, senior guard Jasmine Bonds scored 13 and senior forward Ally Warren contributed 12.
The Lady Kahoks finished the game with 26 fouls, which led to 41 O’Fallon free throws. The Lady Panthers made 28 of 41 from the line. Collinsville made 17 of 26, including nine in the fourth quarter. The Lady Panthers foul total surged late in the final frame to reach 20.
The Lady Kahoks return to action Monday, Dec. 16 to battle Althoff. Game time is 7:30 at Fletcher Gym.
