By David Busman

 

 

AMERICUS – Trailing 46-30 to Westover at the end of three quarters, Americus-Sumter senior guard Jykiera Long exploded for 20 of her game-high 31 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Lady Panthers to a 60-57 come-from-behind victory over Westover Saturday, February 3, on Senior Night.

“The seniors stepped it up tonight”, ASH Head Coach Sherri Harris said. “We stayed focused and we were able to take the game back in the last quarter.”

It was a packed house for Senior Night at Americus-Sumter. However, Westover took the crowd out of it as the Lady Patriots took an 18-6 lead by the end of the first quarter. Long started to come alive in the second quarter by scoring seven points, but the Lady Panthers still trailed at halftime 29-15. Americus-Sumter wasn’t able to cut into the lead in the third quarter, as Westover maintained a 46-30 lead by the end of the third quarter.

However, Long carried her team in the final quarter, scoring 20 fourth-quarter points to lead the come-back. The Lady Panthers scored 30 points in the fourth quarter. Americus-Sumter’s defense stepped it up as well, allowing only 11 points by Westover in the fourth quarter. Long made 14-of-17 free throws from the foul line, shooting 82 percent. Long was not the only senior to make a huge contribution. Senior guard Shidajah Johnson scored 17 points to help the Lady Panthers get the victory.

Americus-Sumter (19-6, 9-5) will now get ready for this week’s Region 1-AAAA Tournament.