The Edwardsville Tigers girls basketball team jumped out to a 24-4 lead after one quarter Monday and cruised to an 81-23 victory over the host Collinsville Lady Kahoks.

Kassidy Smith goes up for a basket against Edwardsville on Dec. 9 / Photo by Roger Starkey

The Tigers pushed their lead to 53-11 at the half, led by Tennessee recruit Kortney Dunbar and St. Louis University bound Aaliyah Covington. Dunbar finished the half with 20 of her game high 25. Covington scored 13 of her 16 in the first half.

Sophomore Gabby Morgan scored five points to lead the Lady Kahoks. Fellow sophomores Carlee Mahan and Joni Kukavina scored three each, as did senior Lexie Thompson

Throughout the game, when Collinsville stopped the initial Edwardsville shot attempt, the Tigers routinely got at least one offensive rebound. Stopping offensive rebounds was a point of emphasis for the Lady Kahoks coming into the game, Head Coach Lori Billy said.

“We were going to try to get them out of the lane and box them hard, but we didn’t do a very good job,” Billy said.

Edwardsville also seemed a step quicker when chasing down loose balls. “When the ball came loose, we didn’t react very well,” Billy said

The sophomore-laden team played scared, Billy said. “They’re a talented group and have been for a number of years, but at some point you have to put that behind you and go play basketball.”

Despite the lopsided final score, the team did not quit, Billy said. “The kids don’t quit, it’s just a matter of being able to execute in pressure situations, Billy said. “We are not there yet. We’ll get there.”

Collinsville plays Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. in East St. Louis.