Neelyville sophomore Jessica Uhl, left, looks to pass around Alton's Alex Hower in the first round of the Lady Dawg Classic in Van Buren. Uhl had six points on two 3-pointers in a 48-26 win for the Lady Tigers. (Rob Tate/DAR) [Click to enlarge]

By ROB TATE ~ DAR Sports Writer

VAN BUREN --Despite illness throughout the team and equipment problems, the Neelyville Lady Tigers advanced at the Lady Dawg Classic with a 48-26 win Monday night against fifth-seeded Alton.

Neelyville (2-0) got off to a strong start, bolting out to a 9-0 run, but Alton responded with an eight point run of its own. A 21-7 second quarter in favor of the Lady Tigers ultimately did the Lady Comets in.

The Lady Tigers had three players in double figures on the game, led by Jackie Griffin who scored 13 points off the bench. Chelsey Maupin, who came off the scored 5 of her 11 points on the game in the second quarter and Lindsey Emerson chipped in 10 points.

"(Chelsey Maupin's) the one that had food poisoning," Neelyville coach Becky Hale said. "She was real weak today. But she worked hard and you couldn't tell she had food poisoning and she had about a size and half too small shoe on too."

Alton was led by Alex Hower, who netted seven points. The Lady Comets struggled from the get-go underneath the hoop as they couldn't get anything to go.

"We get back and get in peoples' faces and stuff," Hale added. "That's just part of it."

The Lady Tigers advance to the semifinals Thursday and will be play top-seed Couch, which beat Ellington in the first game. Alton will play the Lady Whippets in the consolation round.

Couch 65, Ellington 26

Top-seeded Couch made quick work of the Lady Whippets Monday night.

Ellington's best quarter came in the third as they scored 11 points including three 3-pointers. Laura Parkhill hit two 3s while Dani Shelton added another. Whitney Morgan had a teamhigh eight points for the Lady Whippets.

The Lady Indians were led by Tara Combs who had a game-high 15 points. Whitney Mills and Jessica Jones each added 13 points apiece for Couch.

The Lady Indians will take on Neelyville in the semifinals Thursday at 7 p.m. at Van Buren. Ellington will take on Alton in the consolation round at 5:30 p.m.

Thayer 62, Van Buren 24

Despite an 18 point effort from Taylor Grant, the host of the Lady Dawg Classic, Van Buren, lost to the No. 2 seed.

Grant went 14-for-18 from the line and had two field goals on the game for Van Buren.

Thayer was led by Michah Stevens who had a game-high 23 points on 11 field goals. Haley Hebert added 14 points in the win.

Thayer will play Greenville in the semifinals at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.