The Mineola Lady Jackets hosted Quitman Friday evening, outmaneuvering the Lady Bulldogs 37-23.

The Lady Jackets pulled away by virtue of getting more opportunities to score by tenaciously taking the ball away, crashing the offensive glass and frequenting the free throw line.

Both squads made 10 field goals for the game, but Mineola going 14-for–25 at the line while Quitman only attempted six free throws was too much to overcome.

Lady Jacket defenders Kapri Riley, Macy Fischer, Paris Spigner, Gracie Finley and Jayla Jackson had steals in the first quarter alone.

Quitman hung with Mineola early by hitting four of nine field goals, including a three by Allie Berry, knotting the score at nine apiece after a quarter.

Mineola had taken 29 shots by halftime and though they only hit five, their 11 offensive rebounds helped yield seven points on 15 free tries and an 18-13 halftime lead.

In the third quarter, shots started to fall for the Lady Jackets, making 5-of–11 from the field. Jayla Jackson hit a couple threes, and Mylee Fischer sliced through the lane for three buckets. Her willingness to fight for rebounds and ability to get to the bucket were key.

The defensive pressure continued apace, snagging six more steals and yielding just five Lady ‘Dog points in the period for an insurmountable 33-18 gap after three.

Mineola’s Fischers secured seven rebounds each, while Mylee led all scorers with 14 points; Riley, Macy Fischer and Jayla Jackson each scored six with five, seven and three steals respectively; Spigner grabbed four boards and four steals; Finley had four takeaways and a bucket; Kyra Jackson got two steals and two points.

Quitman’s Berry scored seven and secured six rebounds; Kaysi Parker had netted five, nabbed three each of rebounds and steals and had a block and an assist; Madyson Pence grabbed seven boards, one steal and doled out two assists.

In other district action Monday, the Lady Jackets were outmanned by Winnsboro, 85-16, while the Jackets fell to the home team Red Raiders 54-44.