RHS defeats Mansfield to move record to 4-1
The Ruston girls’ basketball team improved to 4-1 overall after defeating Mansfield on Monday. Photo by Josh McDaniel
It’s no exaggeration to say the Ruston girls’ basketball team is off to its best start in years.
After a 42-38 win over Mansfield at the City of Lights Tournament, hosted by Natchitoches Central, on Monday, the Lady Bearcats head into the Thanksgiving break 4-1 overall — the best five-game start for the program since the 2018-19 season.
Ruston senior point guard Jaliyah McWain led with 20 points, including 11 in the second half, along with 3 steals and 2 assists. Ella Kate Jones put up 8 points and 5 rebounds in the win. Zaccheya Jackson contributed 6 points and 4 rebounds as well.
“Playing 10 a.m. games are always interesting. We started off with great energy and really got better at our halfcourt defense today,” Ruston head coach Meredith Graf said. “Throughout the game, Mansfield did a great job of mixing up defenses and creating some havoc at times. We have to continue to execute and make the easy pass vs aggressive defenses. In the end, we hit a few clutch shots and free throws which allowed us to get the win.”
Despite trailing 11-7 after the first quarter, Ruston began to pour it on over the next two periods, outscoring Mansfield 22-8 in that span to build a 29-19 lead entering the fourth. But Mansfield refused to go down without a fight with a 19-point effort in the fourth quarter, trying to overtake the Lady Bearcats. It was too little too late as McWain knocked down a handful of free throws, while Jackson and Jones each scored 4 points in the quarter.
A loss to Haughton is the only blemish so far on the Lady Cats’ schedule. Ruston returns to action on Tuesday at Bossier. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.
