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DeKalb clamps down on Harvest Christian

DeKALB - DeKalb caught a break in the opening half as Harvest Christian failed to capitalize on free throw opportunities to build a lead.

The host Barbs then caught every other break the rest of the way in sailing to a 34-19 girls basketball victory Tuesday night over Harvest. From consecutive fouls to no-calls to rim-out shots to turnovers, everything went in favor of DeKalb (2-4). The Class 1A Lions (3-2) had a three-game win streak snapped with a second loss to a Class 4A program, sandwiched around a trio of wins over 3A schools.

"We were playing DeKalb on their homecourt and I'm proud that we made them earn a win," Lions coach Rich DeTamble said. "We rely on playing full court and foul trouble in both halves took us out of our game. Unfortunately we weren't too focused on form when it came to shooting. But the only way this is a real loss is if we don't apply the lessons learned tonight in tomorrow's practice."

After DeKalb opened the game with a Charlese Williams 3-pointer, the Lions rallied to claim a 7-5 first-quarter lead capped by 2 free throws from Alyssa Iverson. Harvest was ahead 11-7, but the Lions missed 7 free throws that could've have built an advantage.

Instead, DeKalb gained an 11-all halftime margin before running off 7 unanswered. From just over two minutes prior to intermission to two minutes prior to the fourth quarter, Harvest was whistled for six fouls. A Jenn Kasper breakaway layup with 19 seconds left in the third produced the 18-13 score for three quarters.

The fourth quarter began with another Williams 3 followed by a Nygia Pollard drive for a scoop shot to make it 21-15. The Lions got tagged for another four straight fouls during which DeKalb built a commanding 30-15 lead.

Raquel Mills led the Barbs with a game-high 10 points followed by 8, 7, and 6, respectively from Williams, Jacki Rapp, and Danielle Stiles.

Iverson tallied 9 for Harvest with Isamar Garcia next based on a single 3-pointer.

"We have a lot of newcomers and we're still learning to play together as a team," Iverson said. "No matter if the shots are falling or not, we can't get down but instead have to show more energy."

"This was obviously not our best night shooting," Kasper noted. "Offensively we rely on out outside shooting which was off tonight. Our first half defense was OK, but the second half should definitely have been better."

Harvest visits Westminster Christian Thursday at 6:30 p.m. to begin defense of two straight Northeastern Athletic Conference titles. It's also a rematch of a 2016 Class 1A regional championship that the Lions won en route to a second consecutive sectional showing and 20-win season.

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