BOLIVAR - In another state-ranked clash framed by a pair of lengthy win streaks, the Miller Lady Cardinals extended theirs at the expense of the South Callaway Lady Bulldogs.
Claudia Hadlock delivered a game-high 25 points to steer Miller to a 65-55 win Saturday against South Callaway in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Classic at Southwest Baptist University.
South Callaway (16-2) - ranked sixth in Class 3 by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association had its 13-game winning streak halted. The Lady Bulldogs were coming off a dramatic 38-37 victory at Class 4-ranked Fatima last Thursday night.
Meanwhile, third-ranked Miller (23-1) moved its remarkable winning streak to 20 games.
"It felt like we couldn't get in a rhythm, we didn't have a lot of flow," South Callaway head coach Daniel Burns said. "We were just sloppy. Miller outplayed us and we didn't get comfortable."
The Lady Cardinals were in front 16-13 after one quarter, but the Lady Bulldogs started the second quarter with an 8-4 run to take a 21-20 lead with 5 minutes, 12 seconds to play in the first half.
Miller responded by closing the quarter on a 10-6 run to go into halftime with a 30-27 advantage. The Lady Cardinals followed up by opening the third quarter with five unanswered points to build a 35-27 edge at the 6:31 mark.
Miller carried a 49-40 lead into the fourth quarter and went up by double digits before South Callaway got within eight points in the final minutes.
"We feel like we didn't play well, but this tells us that we can play against anybody," Burns said. "If we clean some things up, we may see (Miller) down the road."
Senior guard Paige Clubb tallied 17 points to lead three players in double figures for the Lady Bulldogs. Senior center DeLaney Horstman provided 16 points and junior guard Raegan Brown had 12.
"Miller's defense gave us fits," Burns said. "They're so athletic and they move so well. You don't have open shots for very long."
Lilli Merrick added 21 points for the Lady Cardinals.
"They're hard to match up against," Burns said. "They're super-quick and all of them can shoot."
South Callaway returns home for a Show-Me Conference contest against Eugene at 7:30 p.m. today. The Lady Bulldogs are 5-0 in the SMC.