Third-Quarter Burst Powers Lady Indians Past East Central

DECATUR, Miss. - The Lady Indians outscored East Central 29-12 in the third and turned a tight first half into a 67-48 win.

The first 20 minutes were a grind. ICC led 17-11 after one, then both teams went cold in the second, with the Lady Indians taking a 26-18 lead into halftime. The Lady Warriors shot 34 percent for the game and never found a steady rhythm, but it was still close enough to feel like one stretch could change it.

Then ICC hit the gas.

The third quarter was the separator. The Lady Indians scored 29 in the period, nearly matching their first-half total, and the margin ballooned to 55-30 going into the fourth. The pressure showed up in the turnover column. ICC finished with 10 turnovers. East Central finished with 26. That gap created extra possessions, quick looks, and it kept East Central from ever setting its defense.

Tootie Lockett finished with 19 points with two steals. I'Xana Winters filled up the box score with 16 points and added three assists plus a block. 

East Central made its best push in the fourth, winning the quarter 18-12, but the Lady Warriors could not overcome the turnover margin or the Lady Indians' third-quarter burst.

ICC finished at 40.9 percent from the floor, hit six threes, and did its biggest work with defense and pace, turning 26 turnovers into a comfortable road win.