The Zizzers came into the district semifinals Friday night with a record of 20-7. The Pirates record coming into the game was 16-10. The Zizzers were the number two seed. The Pirates had the number three seed.
The Pirates jumped out to an early lead. The Zizzers were down 11-2 at one point in the first quarter. The Zizzers responded with a run that narrowed the score to 12-9 in favor of the Pirates at the end of the first quarter.
The Pirates responded by outscoring the Zizzers 16-12 in the second quarter. The Pirates successfully defended inside the paint.
The Pirates led the Zizzers 28-21 at the half. Allyssa Joyner and Olivia Lawson were the only Zizzers to score in the first half. Joyner faced a double team for the major of the first half.
The Zizzers regrouped at the half, and narrowed the score. Players other than Joyner and Lawson scored their first points of the game. The Pirates led 40-37 going into the fourth quarter.
With 2:46 to go in the game, the Zizzers trailed 45-35.
The Pirates were happy to hold onto the ball to burn up the remaining clock. The Zizzers fouled and implemented the full-court press.
It wasn’t enough.
The Zizzers lost to Branson 61-52.
Branson takes on Marshfield for the championship Monday night at 6pm.
