By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

After a district opening loss to 9-1A favorite North Iberville, the West St. John Lady Rams were aiming for a bounce-back performance.

They got it at home on Friday night, notching a 50-41 win over Ascension Catholic.

Everything clicked early on for the Rams (5-5, 1-1) as they established a 31-14 halftime lead.

Ascension Catholic (3-14, 0-2) pushed to make a game of it in the second half, cutting the lead to 35-24 after three quarters. In the fourth quarter, baskets by Ascension Catholic’s Krystal Knight and Alyce Dominique would cut the West St. John lead to seven, 35-28.

But that was as close as it would get. Kayla Morris made a foul shot, then Taylor Lewis’s steal and break away layup pushed the lead back to 10, 38-28. Baskets by Tranell Mitchell and Morris effectively sealed the deal, making it 42-28 and too large a lead for Ascension Catholic to overcome.

“We were a little more patient after they made that initial run (in the second half) said West St. John Coach Lester Smith. “We were able to cut down on the turnovers. We had a quick start to the game offensively and took care of the ball early on.”

Morris led all scorers with 18 points. Mitchell scored 18. Destani Comminie and Ambria Major each added five.

Morris said that in the wake of the Rams loss last Tuesday to North Iberville, her team was ready to put it behind them on Friday.

“We just really wanted it tonight,” said Morris. “We listened to our coaches and played our hardest. We want to make our push in district and keep going forward.”

Ascension Catholic coach Blair Bagala said that West St. John’s defense was the difference in the contest.

“They shut down our passing lanes, and forced us into attempting some bad passes,” Bagala said. “We got down early and couldn’t make enough plays to get back into it. All credit to the Rams, they made some really nice plays.”

West St. John faced East Iberville on Tuesday in district action, and will return to action on Friday at home against district foe White Castle.