Pieper helps QND girls pull away in second half to defeat South Shelby

SHELBINA, Mo. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team held South Shelby to just 16 points in the second half in posting a 53-40 victory on Thursday night.

The Raiders led 27-24 at halftime, and they made a concerted effort to get the ball inside to Tristan Pieper. She scored eight of her game-high 16 points in the third quarter as QND outscored the hosts 15-8.

“We started off (the second half) going right at her,” Raiders coach Eric Orne said of Pieper. “She scored the first six points of the third quarter. The girls executed the game plan offensively in the second half by getting the ball in the paint to Tristan. We had an advantage there, and we made the most of it.

“We isolated Tristan a few times, and she was able to put the ball in the hole. She had good energy tonight. She did a really good job of letting the ball come to her and putting it up strong.”

The Raiders allowed just five baskets in the second half. South Shelby’s Kamryn Mitchell scored three baskets in the fourth quarter, and Belle Roush added a free throw.

“We made a couple of small adjustments on their dribble drive,” Orne said.

Sage Stratton scored 14 points for the Raiders (19-3), ranked No. 3 in the Associated Press Class 3A state poll, and Marie Eversman added 12. Roush scored 15 points to lead the Ladybirds (14-5), whose four-game winning streak was snapped.

The end of the regular season schedule is hectic for Notre Dame. After playing at Rushville on Friday, the Raiders then play five home games in five days — Quincy on Tuesday, Pittsfield on Wednesday, Liberty on Thursday, Clopton (Mo.) on Friday and defending Class 1A state champion Okawville on Saturday.

“Coming away with the victory is a good thing as we’re heading into a very big week for us,” Orne said.