Greenville's Andrea Becker, left, drives the lane past Twin Rivers' Mallory Douglas at the Lady Dawg Classic in Van Buren on Monday night. Becker scored a game-high 16 points in Greenville's 53-36 first round victory over the Lady Royals. (Rob Tate/DAR) [Click to enlarge]

By ROB TATE ~ DAR Sports Writer

VAN BUREN -- In the first of what could very well be five meetings this season, the Greenville Lady Bears took round one Monday night as they defeated conference rival Twin Rivers 53-36 in the first round of the Lady Dawg Classic at Van Buren.

Not only was it the first of what could be a handful of meetings this season, it was also a rematch of the district final from last season when Greenville won 66-61.

A lot has changed for Greenville after losing two of its top scorers in Sara Woodgeard and Lindsay Henson.

With Tara Porter and Kaylin Becker remaining as a solid foundation, Greenville coach Diane Meyer couldn't of asked for a better start to the season for one of her younger players. The game Monday featured a glimpse of what could another solid version of the Lady Bears as sophomore Andrea Becker stepped up to score 16 points in the win.

"She was probably about the seventh player last season," Meyer said of Andrea Becker. "As the season went on I could see her confidence. I could tell she was gonna someone that could surprise people when she came back this year."

The Lady Bears took a 31-9 lead into halftime, but Twin Rivers can feel good about a solid second half as the outscored the Lady Bears 27-22.

Becker helped pace the team in the first half as she scored seven points. The Lady Bears also received a boost from her older sister Kaylin, who went on a great run as she reeled off eight straight points for Greenville at the end of the first quarter and the beginning of the second.

"(Andrea) and her sister play well together," Meyer added.

Kaylin Becker ended the game with 10 points and Tara Porter added 14.

The Lady Royals couldn't get much going offensively in the first half as they scored just nine total points. But they came out firing in the second half as they opened up with six straight points. Twin Rivers outscored Greenville in the fourth quarter 17-11 with Torey Davis and Stephanie Jennings each scoring six points apiece in the quarter.

"I'm pleased with our effort in the second half," Twin Rivers coach Kelly Null said. "I'm really disappointed it came to late. The good thing though is the girls realized the difference of how they have to play to compete. I hope that's not the sign of things to come that we're always gonna start so slow."

Null, who was making her debut as head coach, hoped that the slow start was just a case of first-game jitters.

"I can't confidently say that it is but I hope that that what's that was," Null said. "We talked about our pregame routine and to make sure they're ready to play. We're very young and I think we'll pull out of it and be competitive."

Jennings and Davis each finished with a team-high 10 points apiece. Kelsey Snider added seven points.

The win Monday night gives Greenville the edge against Twin Rivers but as the season progresses, the Lady Royals should have a chance to measure themselves up against the Lady Bears. The teams could face each in the Lady Royals Holiday Classic, the conference tournament, in districts on top of an already scheduled conference game on Jan. 13.

Meyer was surprised the two teams were seeded like this to start the season off.

"(Null) and I, we really don't look forward to getting seeded next to each other in a tournament," Meyer said. "When you have to play a team that many times it's probably gonna benefit the one that's getting beat the most at the end because they are learning and I've noticed the team that might win two or three in a row (might falter)."

Greenville moves on the semifinals to play Thayer at approximately 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the semifinal. Twin Rivers will play Van Buren in the consolation round at 4 p.m. Thursday.