Rogers pulls away with big 2nd half

Girls dominate Start second half on way to 57-27 win

Brelynn Hampton-Bey of Rogers looks to pass in front of Start's Kendra Jones. Hampton-Bey had seven points and five steals for the 5-0 Rams.

Rogers needed a half to get its motor going against Start on a cold Wednesday night.

The Rams finished out the first half of the City League girls basketball game leading 22-14.

However, Rogers came out in the second half clearly warmed up and in gear, pulling away from the Spartans for a decisive 57-27 victory.

PHOTO GALLERY: Rogers girls dominate Start

Rogers outscored Start 20-6 in the third quarter to put the game out of reach, taking a 42-20 lead into the fourth quarter.

Torie Easley scored six of her team-high 11 points in the third quarter to help the Rams (5-0, 4-0 CL) pull away. Akienreh Johnson, who finished with 10 points, scored four in the decisive period.

"If you were in the locker room at halftime you'd have thought we were down by 10 points," Johnson said.

Mariah White scored a game-high 13 points to lead the Spartans (4-4, 3-1).

"Any win is a good win," said Rogers coach Lamar Smith, who was pleased with how the Rams responded after the break. "We started out slow, but give Start credit because they came out and played hard. This is good for us."

Nine players ended up scoring for the Rams. Sasha Dailey added nine points while Brelynn Hampton-Bey scored seven and had five steals. Sydney Petty scored six points and grabbed six rebounds.

Hampton-Bey, a 5-foot-7 freshman, and Petty, a 6-2 sophomore, saw time on the court in the third quarter when the Rams kept the Spartans from scoring a point until more than five minutes had elapsed.

"We made some adjustments in the second half tonight," Smith said. "We didn't shoot the ball well from the outside tonight, but we started attacking inside with our post presence."

Rogers maintained its double-digit lead throughout the fourth quarter and led by as much as 34 points.

■ Woodward 50, Scott 45

The host Polar Bears had three players foul out and survived Scott's 49-18 edge in free-throws attempted.

K'Shawna Barnett scored a 19 points for Woodward (2-4, 2-1 CL). Nikki Johnson had 13 points.

The Bulldogs (1-4, 1-3), who made just 17 of their 49 foul shots, were paced by Symone Palmer's 17 points. Myleena White added 14.

■ Waite 67, Bowsher 32

The visiting Indians jumped out to a 27-2 lead after one quarter and cruised behind 16 points from Yanah Caldwell and 15 from Taylor Works.

Latesha Craig scored 14 and Ramiyah Henry added 12 for Waite (3-1, 2-1).

The Rebels (0-5, 0-3) was paced by eight points apiece from Isis Dixon and Brieah Rayford.

Contact Donald Emmons at: demmons@theblade.com, 419-724-6302 or on Twitter @DemmonsBlade.