LUCAS — The Cubs didn’t need a Houdini act this time around.
Shelby Grover scored 23 points and sixth-seeded Lucas forced 30 turnovers in a 51-27 win over No. 12 Plymouth in the Division IV sectional opener Thursday at the Cub Cave.
The teams met just over a month ago in Plymouth and the Cubs escaped with a 43-41 win.
“We shot better, I do know that,” Lucas coach Cathy Grover said. “(Plymouth) shot a lot better the first time and that makes a huge difference.
“The girls were determined today that we were going to get it done.”
Lucas opened the first quarter with a 10-0 run, but Plymouth responded with 10 unanswered points of its own and pulled even on a Makenzie Back layup with 39 seconds remaining in the opening quarter. A steal and layup by Lucas’ Jamie Grover at the first quarter horn gave the Cubs a 12-10 advantage.
The teams traded baskets early in the second quarter before the Cubs ripped off another 10-0 run to close out the half and take a 24-12 advantage to intermission. Jamie Grover scored six points during the spurt.
Plymouth committed 20 turnovers in the first half while managing just five field goals.
“We didn’t give ourselves a chance,” Plymouth coach Dan Parrigan said. “(Twenty) turnovers in a half, that’s how many shot opportunities you don’t get? We knew we had an advantage in the post … but we couldn’t make a post entry to save our life.
“Everything we wanted to do, we didn’t.”
Lucas opened the second half with an 11-0 run and never looked back. Shelby Grover scored eight points during the run and added eight more in the fourth quarter for 16 second-half points.
“After the first half we knew we needed to keep the pace up and keep attacking the hoop and getting in the paint,” Shelby Grover said. “We really want to spread the wealth so we can all contribute.”
All six Cubs who dressed Thursday cracked the scoring column. Jamie Grover backed her younger sister with eight points. Tori Sauder added seven while Tori Harvey and Kalie Nolan had six points apiece.
Erin Stevens led the Big Red with 13 points, including a trio of 3-pointers. Back and Jaylin Branham each had six.
The Cubs will either visit third-seeded Norwalk St. Paul or host No. 13 Crestline in a sectional final at 7 p.m. Saturday. St. Paul hosts Crestline on Friday.
“I think if we play as a team and keep our minds together we can win another tournament game or two,” Shelby Grover said. “We’re playing our best basketball right now.”
