Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
BENTON — Top seeded Mt. Vernon used a furious rally late to overcome a nine point deficit to hand Vienna its first loss of the season and earn a spot in the championship game of the Benton Rangerette Christmas Classic championship game.
The Lady Rams outscored the Lady Eagles 16-2 over the game’s final 3:21 to come away with a 71-66 win.
Kamaree Pollard led the way for Mt. Vernon with a monster game. Pollard finished with 30 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. She scored seven straight at one point down the stretch, including four free throws to give the Lady Rams the lead. Pollard was 15-16 from the line for the game.
Melaina Zedalis was the only other Mt. Vernon player to reach double figures. She finished with 14.
Ayva Rush was sensational in a losing effort for Vienna, leading all scorers with 33 points. Suhmer Daubert added 18 on six 3-pointers for the Lady Eagles.
In will be a matchup of 3A state ranked teams in the championship game, as third ranked Mt. Vernon will face fourth ranked Civic Memorial Monday night at 7:30. It will be a matchup of 2A state ranked teams in the third place game as number seven Vienna will tangle with number four Carlyle in the third place game.
