Lady Honkers drubbed by Durham

Turnovers might be a tasty treat at the breakfast table, but having way too many of them left a bad taste in the mouths of the Lady Honkers on Friday.

Playing the same Durham squad that had won by just eight points when the two teams met Jan. 15, the Lady Honkers appeared way overmatched in a 64-38 loss at home.

The first quarter was competitive, as Morgan Hughes followed her turnaround jumper with a 3-pointer to put the home team ahead 13-12, but things went downhill from there.

Durham began launching the long ball in the second period, getting a pair of treys from Baylie Larson and one by Erica Larson. Five different Willows players scored in the frame, but each scored just two points as Durham took a 31-23 lead at the break.

The Trojans were quicker in transition and won the battle on the boards, and the aforementioned turnovers prevented the Lady Honkers from ever settling in to run their sets or putting together any sustained scoring runs.

Hughes accounted for seven of Willows' nine third-quarter points, but Durham put up 15 to go into the fourth quarter holding a comfortable 46-30 advantage.

Stephanie Husa's eight points equaled Willows' total scoring output down the stretch, and Baylie Larson hit another 3-pointer and Summer Vercruyssen added a three-point play as the Trojans left town with the decisive win.

Hughes finished with 18 points for the Honkers (17-7, 9-2 Sacramento Valley League) and Ally Brunner helped out with nine.

Vercruyssen paced Durham with 19 points, followed by 17 from Baylie Larson and 12 from Husa.

Durham clinched the SVL championship with the win, while the Lady Honkers attempted to finish on a high note with Tuesday home matchup against Pierce.

CONTACT Craig Purcell at 824-1036 or cpurcell@tcnpress.com.