Lopreato’s double-double lifts Panthers past Demons

WASHINGTON - It was a shootout on Friday night when Mt. Pleasant visited Washington for a Southeast Conference girls game. Both teams scored season highs as the Panthers came out on top 71-52.

Washington stayed close in the first half. Mt. Pleasant led 17-10 after one quarter and 33-27 at the break.

The Panthers started to pour it on in the third quarter. Mt. Pleasant outscored Washington 20-9 in the third period to take a commanding 53-36 lead into the fourth quarter.

Mt. Pleasant scored 16 or more points in every quarter. Washington was in double digits in every period but the third.

Andrea Lopreato had 25 points, 10 rebounds and four steals to lead the Panthers to victory. She was efficient from the field, going 9-for-11.

Tristan Shull put up 19 points and also dished out five assists. Kenna Lamm had 10 points. Emma Huckabone had nine. Emma Rugg scored four, and both Karsyn Lamm and Ava Lowery finished with two.

Despite the loss, it was the first time Washington has eclipsed 50 points this season.

'We gained a little bit of confidence in our offense,” said Washington head coach Shannon Rugg. 'We've spent three or four days working in practice on being more aggressive in our offense, and I thought it showed.”

Mt. Pleasant is now 3-4 overall and 2-1 in the conference. They will host Burlington on Tuesday, in what will be the Grayhounds' first SEC game.

After a follow-up loss on Saturday in Fairfield, Washington fell to 0-7 overall and 0-2 in conference play. The Demons will play at Fort Madison on Tuesday.