<p> The Grove Lady Ridgerunners didn&rsquo;t solve the rebounding issue that led to a 41-32 in their first meeting with the Jay Lady Bulldogs less than a month ago, but a big shooting night from senior Emilee Iverson and some stifling defense were just enough to get a 34-30 win at Bulldog Arena Tuesday.<span class="paragraph-1"> </span></p> <p> <span class="paragraph-1">Iverson, who signed a letter of intent Tuesday morning to high jump at Pitt State, scored 10 of her game-high 16 points in the first half, banking in a long three at the buzzer to give the Lady Ridgerunners (8-9) a 20-16 lead at the break. She then hit two more from beyond the arc in the third quarter, including one with seconds left in the period, to give Grove their largest lead of the night at 30-20.</span></p> <div class="encrypted-content"> <p> &ldquo;She had a great night,&rdquo; Grove head coach Richard Bassett said. &ldquo;She&rsquo;s our only senior and she stepped up. She played great.&rdquo;</p> </div> <div class="encrypted-content"> <p> Iverson also had four steals and a pair of blocked shots, but it almost wasn&rsquo;t enough as the Lady Bulldogs, led by junior forward Baylee Tanner, fought back to within two in the final minute of the game.</p> </div> <div class="encrypted-content"> <p> Tanner had half of her team-high 12 points in the fourth quarter, and the Lady Ridgerunners turned the ball over seven times in the final eight minutes, going without a field goal in the period. Tanner had a pair of put backs to cut the lead to 30-26 with 3:30 to play, adding 11 rebounds to her dozen points.</p> </div> <div class="encrypted-content"> <p> In all, the Lady Bulldogs (9-10) won the battle on the boards 35-18, but were hampered by 22 turnovers and 7-of-15 shooting at the free throw line.</p> </div> <div class="encrypted-content"> <p> Still, Jay had their chances toward the end of the game as Grove missed on a pair of 1-and-1s. But after Adrianna Cornell&rsquo;s bucket made it 32-30 with 20 seconds left, Libby Morris made a pair of free throws to seal the game for Grove.</p> </div> <div class="encrypted-content"> <p> Morris finished with 8 points and three rebounds.</p> </div> <div class="encrypted-content"> <p> &ldquo;It was a nice win for us,&rdquo; Bassett said. &ldquo;Defensively, we did a better job. We talked about sinking off their guards and letting them shoot. We weren&rsquo;t going to get beat in the paint.&rdquo;</p> </div> <div class="encrypted-content"> <p> The game was close throughout the first half. Karah Bassett hit a three near the end of the first quarter to give Grove a 9-6 lead, but neither team led by more than two until Iverson&rsquo;s buzzer-beater from the top of the key on an inbounds play ended the half. Grove would then open the second half with an 8-2run to seize control of the contest.</p> <div class="encrypted-content"> <p> The win was the third in a row for the Lady Ridgerunners and the fourth in their last five contests.</p> </div> <div class="encrypted-content"> <p> The Lady Bulldogs have lost back-to-back contests for just the second time this season, and will try to avoid a three-game losing streak against a tough Miami squad at home on Friday. Jay won the first meeting in Miami 54-47 on Jan. 10.</p> </div> <div class="encrypted-content"> <p> Grove will host Oologah on Friday after defeating the Lady Mustangs 48-44 last Thursday.</p> </div> </div> <p> &nbsp;</p>