Lady 'Dogs drop Lakes contest to Tigers 50-40

(Sentinel photo by Jesse Geleynse) Le Mars' Jess Arnold fires a shot during Tuesday's loss to Spencer. [Click to enlarge]

The Le Mars girls basketball team still can't stop Spencer's Ally Mahrt.

The Lady 'Dogs have had two chances at the Tigers star, and still fell 50-40 in Lakes Conference action on Tuesday at Carey Gym as Mahrt poured in a game-high 23 points.

But that was 13 fewer than she scored in Spencer's 62-45 win on January 5 and Le Mars assistant coach Cliff Collins was pleased.

"I thought we battled to the end," said Collins, who was filling in for an ill Barry Borchers. "That was a good team and I'm proud of our effort. We did a lot of good things."

Spencer's 6-foot-1 sophomore Ashley Williamson equaled her total from January 5 with 16 points as the Lady 'Dogs struggled with the height of the Tigers.

"(Height) has been a disadvantage for us all year," Collins said. "But it comes down to getting defensive rebounds to win games and you don't have to be tall to do that."

But despite the height disadvantage, Le Mars battled to a 16-16 tie at halftime. Spencer opened the second half on a 6-1 run before Le Mars pulled to within two at 26-24 with 3:59 to play. But the Lady 'Dogs mustered just a free throw for the remainder of the frame and Spencer jumped out to a 37-25 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

"I thought our guards caused them a lot trouble," Collins said. "But we have to get stronger with the ball and finish. We need to get to the line more."

Erica Westhoff scored 14 to lead Le Mars and Emily Anderson added nine. Natalie Miller chipped in seven points for the Lady 'Dogs (4-14, 1-11), who play host to Cherokee on Friday.