By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
The Abundant Life Lady Owls pressed their way to a 50-30 non-conference victory over Episcopal Collegiate School on Tuesday.
The Lady Owls (3-5) allowed just four points by the Lady Wildcats in the second quarter as part of a full-court defensive attack that created numerous turnovers and easy transition scores for Abundant Life.
“Our defense started out strong,” Lady Owls coach T.J. Wreyford said. “Second quarter, I thought we played outstanding defense. We took it up a notch and really picked up on them.”
Junior guard Lauren McClendon led the Lady Owls with 14 points while Courtney Waddell finished with 13 points, including three, three-point baskets.
“Courtney really helped us out a lot with the three threes,” Wreyford said. “It opened it up some inside for Michelle to get some layups.”
Waddell’s outside shooting kept Episcopal’s defense spread out and gave post player Michelle Allen an open lane to the goal for 10 points and 10 rebounds. Emily Turner rounded out high scorers for Abundant Life with eight points.
“We put some full-court press on them in the second quarter,” Wreyford said. “That gave us some momentum. We kept the lead the whole game and just kept increasing that lead.”
McClendon is on track early to repeat as the team’s leading scorer again this season after a breakout sophomore year. At 5 feet 8 inches, McClendon may not get looks from major Division-I colleges, but Wreyford said he believes she has the talent to play at the next level.
“She’s a left-handed guard, and she’s hard to guard,” Wreyford said. “She’s super quick. She’s one of our team leaders, even as a junior.
“She’s also our primary ball handler. As she goes, we go. Her only weakness I would say is that she needs to develop an outside shot, but she can definitely score on a drive or a fast break.”
The Lady Owls returned to 5-2A North Conference play Friday at Mountain Pine.
