Perry Meridian Snaps Warsaw's Win StreakThe Warsaw Lady Tigers’ win streak ended at eight games Saturday, but not without a valiant comeback.
In a 58-55 loss to Perry Meridian in the championship game of the 41st annual Lady Tiger Tournament, the hosts trailed 26-12 after one quarter of play and 41-24 at halftime.
Warsaw turned things around in the second half with a 20-3 run, outscoring the Lady Falcons 18-7 in the third quarter and 31-17 over the final 16 minutes.
In the end, however, the hardware went back to Indianapolis with tournament MVP Caitie Baird and the Lady Falcons.
Baird tallied 25 points and 13 rebounds for Perry Meridian (7-9) in the championship game, making 3 of 5 three-point attempts and all six of her free throws along the way.
Ariana Booker, who also made the all-tournament team for longtime Perry Meridian coach Mike Armstrong’s squad, scored nine points and grabbed four boards, while Sally Mortensen and Molly Armstrong finished with seven and six points, respectively.
Perry Meridian advanced to the tournament final with a 53-35 victory over Chesterton.
The Lady Tigers, now 11-5, shot just 33 percent from the field in the first half of the championship game, but made 53 percent of their attempts in their second-half surge.
Senior Maddie Ryman, who played her way on to the all-tournament team, led Warsaw with 20 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals in the final.
Sophomore Kendall Wayne scored 10 points against Perry Meridian, while freshman Abby Sanner chipped in with eight points, seven boards and two steals, and junior Brielle Harrison finished with eight points and four rebounds.
Warsaw advanced to the title tilt with a 45-35 win over Huntington North.
The Lady Tigers trailed 22-9 in the first half of the semifinal game, but used a 15-2 run to turn the tide.
After scoring just 12 points in the first half against Huntington North, Warsaw netted 14 points in the third quarter and 19 in the fourth, outscoring the Lady Vikings 33-13 over the final 16 minutes.
Ryman tallied 14 points, five rebounds, four steals and three assists in the semifinal win.
Warsaw junior Kaylee Patton scored 11 points in the semifinal and was named to the all-tournament team, but she went down with a knee injury in the fourth quarter against Huntington North and did not play against Perry Meridian.
Harrison tallied six points and nine boards in the 10-point semifinal victory, while sophomore Kensie Ryman chipped in with six points, five steals and three assists.
Madalyn Robrock led Huntington North with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Meg McDonald tallied 11 points and nine boards.
The Lady Tigers, who have won eight of their last 10 games since they were 3-4, travel to Middlebury Saturday for a key Northern?Lakes Conference game against Northridge.
Northridge (13-5 overall, 3-0 NLC) and Warsaw (2-0) are the only NLC?teams without a loss in the league standings.
Three-pointers – H. North 0, Warsaw 5 (M. Ryman 2, Patton 2, Wayne); Rebounds – H. North 34 (Robrock 11), Warsaw 24 (M. Ryman 5, Harrison 5); Turnovers – H. North 18, Warsaw 9; Fouls – H. North 17, Warsaw 16
