GIRLS BASKETBALL: Yates scores 27 to lead PCHS over Murphy in OT

Raygan Yates exploded for a career-high 27 points as Pinckneyville slipped past Murphysboro 56-50 in overtime on Thursday night at home.

Yates added 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals and had a huge block in the extra frame that led to a lay-up and a 6-point lead for the Lady Panthers.

"Raygan Yates was outstanding on both ends of the floor," said PCHS head coach Alan Engelhardt. "I thought the kids showed a lot of character coming in and having a good practice yesterday after struggling on Tuesday, and it showed up in how we played tonight. This was a good team win with several people contributing for us on both ends, especially playing good team defense early in the game and in overtime and really sharing the ball."

Sophie Keith added a double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds for Pinckneyville. Mayci Doerflein finished with 9 points, Megan Breslin added 4, and Kiya Hagene and Mariah Clark each had 2.

"We had a lot of good minutes off the bench too from Megan Breslin, Kiya Hagene, and Mariah Clark with each scoring for us and being solid on the defensive end," Engelhardt said. "We need to continue to stretch out our good periods and shorten our bad as we finish the season, but tonight was a step in the right direction."

PCHS (12-8) hosts Vandalia on Saturday.