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Lady 'Jackets lose to Willard Thursday

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The Lebanon Lady Yellowjackets lost 37-59 against the Willard Lady Tigers during Thursday’s game. Going into the match, the Lady ‘Jackets had a season record of 5-6 and the Lady Tigers one of 3-9. Lebanon head coach Brian Decker said after the game that Willard’s score does not reflect their program, with them having faced tough opponents prior to Lebanon. Lebanon took an early lead in the first half of the first period, with Willard beginning to make up points in the second half. With the score sitting 18-8 at the end of the period in Lebanon’s favor, Willard would need to close the distance in the second period. Willard did indeed close the gap in the second period, with early fouls and turnovers contributing to their lead. By the end of the period, the score stood at 23-24. In the third period, the Lady Tigers continued to steal possession of the ball and blow past the Lady ‘Jackets’ defenses, with the end-of-period score sitting at 29-47. Lebanon continued to score in the second half, but it was not enough to catch up to Willard by the end of the fourth period. Decker reported after the game that turnovers and lulls in momentum, especially in the second half, ultimately led to the Lady ‘Jackets’ downfall. Decker noted Willard’s ability to work the court and handle ball holding. “We’ll rebound,” Decker said, referencing the practices that will take place between now and the group’s matches in the Mid America Bank Osage Invitational. The Lady ‘Jackets will first play against Osage in the tournament on January 20.