Special to the News-Leader
Strafford's suffocating second-half defense helped the Lady Indians secure a 67-36 win over Willard in the quarterfinal of the Pink and White tournament.
Strafford and Willard squared off earlier in the season with a similar result — elite defense shutting down the Lady Tiger offense leading to a Strafford blowout win.
This defensive performance was different, yet more impressive.
It was a back and forth game in the second quarter with both teams trading buckets and lacking defensive rhythm. Strafford took a 33-26 lead into halftime after a junior guard Laney Humble knocked down a pair of 3's to end the half.