Lady Tigers sweep past Central High 55-22 for third straight win

STERLING – Emma Nunley tallied a game-high 22 points as the Sterling Lady Tigers breezed to a 55-22 win over the Central High Bronchos Tuesday night.

Sterling, 4-1, won its third consecutive game in relatively easy fashion jumping out to a 15-8 first-period lead. Nunley, with the aid of two three-pointers and five free throws, scored 15 of her 22 points in the first half. At one point, Sterling reeled off 14 unanswered points to lead 35-10 before Central closed the first half with a bucket.

Although Sterling won by 33 points, Lady Tiger head coach Jennifer Garner found ways the team could improve.

“We didn’t shoot the ball well and we were undisciplined at times, but we got a lot of steals and worked the ball inside late in the game. Overall, I’m happy with the effort and the win,” she said.

Although Sterling has a fast-break focus, Garner wants her players to also move the ball inside to post player Kinley Mansel who finished with five points.

“We need to call for the ball in the post,” Garner said. “While being aggressive, we need to take the ball inside. Yes, we are an up-tempo team, but there are times when we need to slow it down.”

Sterling recorded 32 steals with its pressure defense while also turning the ball over 12 times.

Nunley and junior Ashlyn Clift combined for Sterling’s 11 third-period points as the Lady Tigers led 46-19 entering the fourth. Sterling outscored Central 9-3 in the final stanza.

Clift finished with 10 points followed by Lacy Spence with eight and Shelby Spence with six points.

Sterling plays at Cyril on Dec. 2 followed by another road game Dec. 6 at Cement. The Lady Tigers will also compete in the Geronimo Tournament Dec. 8-10. Sterling’s next home game is set for Dec. 16 against Apache. All regular-season game tipoffs are at 6:30 p.m.