(Columbia, MO) The Central Lady Rebels will play in the Class 4 State Championship for the first time since 2015 after beating the Owensville Dutchgirls in a Semifinal on Wednesday at Mizzou Arena 44-30.
Central junior, Allysa O’Connor, secured career point 1,000 in the game, finishing with 10 points, 18 rebounds, and 7 assists. Khloe Dischbein and Taylor O’Connor each had 10 points as well.
The game appeared to play into the favor of Owensville’s defensive approach through the first half. The Dutchgirls led at halftime 16-15 after a second quarter where the teams split six total points.
In the second half, the Lady Rebel offense surged scoring 16 in the third quarter, and another 13 in the final quarter. Central head coach, Aaron Tyree, says the team got back to the offensive success that has propelled them to a MSHSAA Show-Me Showdown appearance.
Central’s defense was outstanding in the victory over Owensville. After allowing 13 points in the first quarter, the Lady Rebels defense held the Dutchgirls to three points in the second, five in the third, and nine in the fouth.
Central collected 30 total rebounds and made 52-percent of shots taken from the field (15-for-29). Owensville was 5-for-12 from the field in the first quarter but went just 5-for-27 in the remaining 24 minutes.
Alison Daniels led the Dutchgirls with 11 points.
Central advances to the MSHSAA Show-Me Showdown Championship Game Thursday night against Lift For Life, who beat Chillicothe 85-77 in overtime Wednesday. Tip off at 8p from Mizzou Arena, coverage on KFMO, the KFMO app, and KFMOsports.com will begin at 7:30p. Coach Tyree says the team will be ready to go.
