A tough start.
SMWC cA ould not overcome issues that led to a double-digit deficit in the first quarter and the Pomeroys suffered a disappointing start to the Gyrene Christmas Classic on Thursday, falling by a score of 72-66 to Lawrence Tech.
The Pomeroys jumped ahead 4-0 at the start of the game and led 9-7 after a 3-pointer by Irye Gomez with 5:50 to go in the first quarter.
But Lawrence Tech controlled the game the remainder of the first quarter, closing the period on a 15-2 run.
SMWC bounced back in the second quarter.
Madison Fueger, who finished with 15 points, 14 rebounds and three steals, converted twice in the paint and Aubrey Burgess converted a layup to pull the Pomeroys within 32-26 with 2:22 remaining before halftime.
Brooklynn Jones, who led the Pomeroys with 18 points, scored the team's final five points before the break, but the Pomeroys couldn't get enough stops to close out the half within one or two possessions. Lawrence Tech scored nine – including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Addie Nagel, in the final 2:22 to go into halftime ahead 41-33.
The Pomeroys shot 9 of 13 from the field in the second quarter, but they were unable to carry that over into the third quarter. SMWC hit just 4 of 14 and went into the fourth quarter trailing 53-44.
While SMWC was efficient in the fourth quarter offensively, the Blue Devils almost always had a counter to regain the momentum.
Gomez connected on a 3-pointer to pull the Pomeroys within 55-49.
Fueger came up with a steal and assisted Gomez for a layup. Jones connected on a jumper to make it 60-55 with 6:40 remaining. Lawrence Tech scored the next five points, however, to take its lead back to 10.
Kylee Stepp hit her first 3-pointer to make it 68-64 with 2:42 remaining and Jones hit a jumper to keep 70-66 with 1:55 on the clock. But SMWC could not convert the remainder of the game.