BELFRY, Ky. – With six straight wins, the Lady Pirates are on a tear after defeating the Tug Valley Lady Panthers, 63-47.

Monday’s game, which was Belfry’s last regular season game at home, started with off with the Lady Pirates having a big first quarter, outscoring the Tug Valley 20 to 3.

The teams were fairly even throughout the rest of the game with Tug Valley picking up the pace in subsequent quarters, but were not able to catch up to the lead garnered in the opening minutes.

“We came out flat,” said Lady Panthers Head Coach Okey Smith. “We played better in the second half and with more aggression, but it can be easier to play when you’re down by a lot.”

Mounts and the Lady Pirates came into the game prepared, reviewing the two teams’ previous game to determine a strategy.

“We were worried about Tug Valley coming into the game,” said Lady Pirates’ Head Coach Rick Mounts. “They’re a tough team and had a good win over Pikeville.

“We tried to slow (Tabby) Mounts and (Whitney) Evans by using the 1-3-1 defense and keep them out of the corners.”

The strategy appeared to have worked with Belfry keeping Tug Valley to only 19 of 58 from the field and 4 of 22 from three-point range. Belfry, similarly, shot 22 of 56 from the field, but sank 5 of their 12 three-pointers.

Mounts felt all of his players stepped up their play without J.J. Bevins in the lineup, who is currently out with an injury. He commended Meghan Staten, saying she “played like a senior and felt it was a good way to play her last regular season home game”, complimented Jackelyn Stack’s defensive prowess, as well Alexis Howard.

In fact all of Belfry’s starters scored in double-digits with Caitlyn Woolum leading the Lady Pirates with 15 points. Staten scored 13 for Belfry, Amy McCoy scored 12 points, Howard scored 11, and Stack scored 10. Connie Elkins came off the bench to score 2 for the Lady Pirates.

Forward Tabby Mounts led the Lady Panthers in scoring with 12 points in Monday’s game. Other scorers for Tug Valley were: Elizabeth Evans and Desrae Vance with 7 points each; Whitney Evans with 6 points; Hailee Ward with 5 points; Delena Smith with 4 points; and Sammie Preece, Karah Sheppard, and Courtney Southers each with 2 points.

Belfry shot 12 for 19 from the free throw line while Tug Valley only had the opportunity to shoot 6 free throws, sinking 5 of them. Evans sank all four of her free throws for the Lady Panthers.

The Lady Pirates (17-6) will get a bit of a break before finishing the regular season in three away games with Shelby Valley Saturday, Feb. 13, Prestonsburg Feb. 16, and Magoffin County Feb. 19.

The Tug Valley Lady Panthers (7-11) will take on Man Wednesday at home.

Belfry 20 20 10 13-63

TVHS 3 16 10 18-47