The Baylor Red Raiders did their best to hold on against an extremely competitive Knoxville Webb program, but fell just short at 56-44.

The contest was extremely physical, testing the endurance of both programs.

Webb flexed their size early to capitalize on the lack of Ezra Sixto in the Baylor lineup.

The Red Raiders' shooting kept the first half a close affair, with Montas Paldauskas hitting a buzzer-beater three at the end of the period to hold the Spartans to a two-point lead.
 

The second quarter was a defense-heavy period outside of an arena-shaking slam by Webb's Ethan Woolard and an impressive 3-point play by Baylor's Montas Paldauskas.

The Spartans held onto that slim two-point lead heading into the half.

However, Webb began to pull away to start the third quarter, outscoring Baylor 19-10.

Down by 11 to start the final period, the Red Raider offense roared back to life with a 7-0 run, capped off by a thunderous dunk from Montas Paldauskas. Webb head coach, Ricky Noriss, called a timeout to make some adjustments.

Those adjustments bore fruit immediately as the Spartans began to regain their lead. Huston Torres hit a clutch three-pointer to send the Spartans back up by eight in the final two minutes.

Baylor was unable to jumpstart another run, and Knoxville Webb ended their roadtrip with a 56-44 victory over the Red Raiders.

Knoxville Webb looks to extend their 12 game win streak in a battle for first place in Division II-AA East against Knoxville Catholic.

Baylor drops to third place in the division and will look to get back in the win column against Chattanooga Christian

Knoxville Webb girls 72, Baylor 34: Knoxville Web's defense proved too much for the Lady Red Raiders, as they suffered a blowout loss on Tuesday evening.

The traveling Lady Spartans of Webb School found a rhythm from beyond the arc early that Baylor struggled to respond to.

Ivy Harper opened scoring for Webb with three consecutive three-point baskets. The Lady Spartans' other leading scorers, Meeyah Green and Kyndall Myers, found their shots early, scoring five and six points in the first quarter.

Xahara Willis led Baylor in the first quarter with seven points.

In the second quarter, Webb pulled away and never looked back. They outscored Baylor 18-5; all of those points for Baylor came from Aubrey Bush.

These woes for the Lady Red Raiders continued into the third quarter as they were outscored 10-4 by the Lady Spartans. Both Buckets for Baylor came courtesy of Schoti Marchand.

Needing a miracle, Baylor turned to the deep ball with Shelby Queener checking into the game and drilling three consecutive threes.

Unfortunately for the Lady Red Raiders, Webb was able to match that and then some. Meeyah Green responded with three 3-point baskets of her own.

Webb will head back to Knoxville with a 72-34 victory over Baylor and a 16-5 record. Baylor falls to 13-7 and looks to bounce back against Chattanooga Christian School next week.

Boys Game

KNOX WEBB (56) – Brayden Hazelbaker 14, Torres 9, Swearengen 8, Lentz 8, Leeth 7, Luton 6, Woolard 2, Huck 2,

BAYLOR (44) – Montas Paldauskas 12, Jake Neal 12, Karolis Anuskevicius 11, Barker 5, Elohem 4

3-point goals: Webb 7 (Luton 2, Lentz 2, Hazelbaker 2, Torres 1); Baylor 7 (Anuskevicius 2, Paldauskas 2, Neal 2, Barker 1)

Free throws: Webb 7 of 7; Baylor 1 of 3.

Records: Webb 22-2; Baylor 13-6.

Girls Game

KNOX WEBB (72) – Meeyah Green 23, Kyndall Mays 21, Ivy Napier 12, Rockett 7, Lowery 6, Ladd 3

BAYLOR (46) – Willis 9, Queener 9, Bush 7, Marchand 4, Leach 3, Beasley 2

3-point goals: Webb 11 (Green 4, Napier 3, Ladd 1, Lowery 1, Rockett 1 ); Baylor 4 (Queener 3, Leach 1)

Free throws: Webb 3 of 6; Baylor 3 of 4.

Records: Webb 13-5; Baylor 14-6.

(Contact Jake Moore at jakemooremedia12@gmail.com)

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