The Taylor Lady Ducks varsity basketball team picked up a dominant 55-35 victory over the Groesbeck Goats on Friday, Jan. 2, pulling away with a decisive second-quarter surge.
After a slow start, the Lady Ducks responded in a big way, outscoring the Goats 23-5 in the second quarter to seize control of the game and never look back.
Groesbeck opened the contest with a quick 5-0 lead, but Taylor found its footing when senior guard Aubriana Alderete knocked down a 3-pointer to spark the offense.
The Ducks closed the opening quarter on a strong note and carried a 9-7 advantage into the second period.
Momentum fully shifted early in the second quarter when junior forward Tianna Candee finished a fastbreak layup to extend the lead to 11-7.
From there, Taylor went on an impressive run fueled by defensive pressure and efficient shooting.
Sophomore point guard Samantha Schroeder and Alderete each connected on a pair of 3-pointers during the stretch, helping the Ducks build a commanding 32-12 lead by halftime.
Taylor maintained its commanding lead throughout the second half, continuing to control the pace on both ends of the floor.
The Ducks’ defense limited Groesbeck’s scoring opportunities while the offense consistently capitalized in transition to preserve the double-digit cushion.
The victory marked a strong performance for Taylor as it heads into district competition.
The Lady Ducks improved to 6-14 overall and will open district play against Lampasas on Friday, Jan. 9. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. at Taylor High School.
