KINGDOM CITY, Mo. - The North Callaway Ladybirds jumped out to a 25-point lead after the first quarter and went on to demolish the Mark Twain Lady Tigers 75-55 in an Eastern Missouri Conference matchup on Monday night.
North Callaway (17-7, 8-1 EMO) bolted to a 27-2 advantage after the first quarter and maintained a 40-15 advantage at halftime. Mark Twain (11-13, 6-3) outscored the Ladybirds 21-19 in the third period, but North Callaway still controlled a 59-36 lead.
"We came out and had a great first quarter, offensively," North Callaway head coach Morgan Beamer said. "We held a really good offensive team to 15 points in the first half. It was a great conference win at home."
Senior forward Sam Schaefer paced five Ladybirds in double figures with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Junior forward Allie Schlueter scored 14 points, while sophomore guard Kenzie Ausfahl and junior guard Nichole Emmons totaled 13 apiece. Junior guard Kyla Bertschinger recorded 12 points, five assists and and six steals.
McKenzie Lathram directed the Lady Tigers with a game-high 24 points and Hannah Spoonhower added 12.
The Ladybirds also lost to the Paris Lady Coyotes 48-44 on Saturday night in the rescheduled Gary Filbert Classic at Mexico High School.
North Callaway shot just 29 percent from the free-throw line.
"Unfortunately, we just couldn't put the ball in the hole," Beamer said. "Being 5-of-17 from the free-throw line and not getting (in) position to rebound were key factors in this loss."
Schaefer recorded a double-double - 15 points, 11 rebounds - to lead the Ladybirds, while Bertschinger put up 14 points.
Allison Moore led the Lady Coyotes with 15 points and Makayla Fox added 13.
North Callaway hosts an EMO game against Bowling Green for its regular-season finale at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.