Roush leads Lady Pintos to 51-49 win against Southern Boone

California junior Kelsey Roush led the Lady Pintos to a 51-49 win against Southern Boone Monday at the 20th Annual California Tournament. Roush scored 23 points.
California junior Kelsey Roush led the Lady Pintos to a 51-49 win against Southern Boone Monday at the 20th Annual California Tournament. Roush scored 23 points.

The Lady Pintos played by far their most intense game of this season Monday night at the 20th Annual California Tournament as they came from behind led by junior Kelsey Roush to pull off a 51-49 win against Southern Boone.

"This was an emotional game," California Coach Bobby Sangster said. "We came out with a lot of energy and then we got into that funk like we did Friday night. I can't say enough about Kelsey. She wanted this, and Sydney battled through illness for us. I hope she's got enough left because we've got a long week ahead of us."

The win comes after a 51-43 loss to the Lady Eagles Friday night.

The #2 seeded Lady Pintos got off to an early 13-9 lead in Monday's contest with Roush scoring California's first eight points, and California held a 22-19 advantage at the half. Southern Boone, the #7 seed, had pulled ahead 41-34 by the end of the third quarter. The fourth frame, however, was the deal-breaker for the Lady Eagles as they were outscored 17-8.

Southern Boone led 41-36 at the start of the fourth quarter and at one point, had a nine-point advantage, but the Lady Pintos weren't going to be counted out.

With 1:48 left to play, Roush nailed a shot to even the score at 49-49. With less than eight seconds on the clock, Roush sank another bucket to push the Lady Pintos past the Lady Eagles 51-49 for the win.

"I'm very proud of the girls," Sangster said. "Ashtyn Goans helped us out a lot tonight. I hope this is the spring board to get us going," Sangster said. "It would be great to knock off Jefferson City Wednesday night."

Roush had 23 points on the night, followed by Deeken with 12. Meleigha Caudel chipped in with five points.

Southern Boone was led by freshman Kylie Shoot with 23 points, and freshman Faryn Griffin with 13.

California will play Jefferson City, the #3 seed, at 7:30 p.m. today (Wednesday) in the winners' semifinal round of the tourney. The championship game is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday.

Other game results from Monday night at the California Tournament include the following. In the girls' division, Jefferson City defeated Harrisonville 56-26. Boonville defeated Moberly 69-36, and Battle defeated Fulton 52-32.

Boonville will play Battle at 6 p.m. today (Wednesday) in semifinals. Moberly will play Fulton at 4:30 p.m. today, and Southern Boone will play Harrisonville at 9 p.m.

Previously, the Lady Pintos participated in the MRMC (Moberly Regional Medical Center) Holiday Shootout Dec. 28 at Moberly Community College, where California defeated Bowling Green 51-43.

The Lady Pintos played Silex Jan. 4 at the Gary Filbert Classic at Mexico, where California pocketed a 59-16 win.

Following the California Tournament, the Lady Pintos will be back in action Wednesday, Jan. 22, at Hallsville. The JV game will begin at 6 p.m. with the varsity to follow.