Keith MacPherson, Sports Editor
Gainesville Daily Register
GAINESVILLE — Kiarah Manuel scored 25 points as Gainesville rolled past Dallas’ God’s Academy 56-33 on Friday night at Gainesville High School.
Manuel’s season-high scoring output came on a night where she was locked in from downtown. The junior knocked down 8-of-15 treys on the night - also a season-high.
The Lady Leopards (12-5) got off to a quick start against the Lady Ambassadors and kept their foot on the gas.
Gainesville went up by 24-5 midway through the second quarter on a 3-pointer from Manuel - the capper on a 21-2 run that started midway through the first quarter.
Christin Taylor led God’s Academy with 15 points. Allyah Evans had 11 and Dria Keys had nine.
The Lady Leopards outscored the Lady Ambassadors 20-5 in the second quarter, shooting 7-of-15 from the field. Manuel knocked down two of her treys in the stanza while Bari Hancock and Zhanice Lane both also had 3-pointers.
God’s Academy stepped up its physical play in the second half and limited the chances of Gainesville.
Lady Leopard junior Ariannah Kemp connected on a layup less than a minute into the third quarter to make it 34-11 before Gainesville went on a near five minute scoring drought that ended with yet another Manuel trey.
The Lady Leopards added to their lead early in the fourth quarter with a put back from Brittany Royal. The sophomore had five points on the night and pulled in 10 rebounds.
Kemp had eight rebounds to go with four points before leaving the game late in the third quarter.
Gainesville finished the game on a 14-6 run with Chandler Kemp and Manuel connecting on last-second free throws to wrap up another win.
Gainesville will host Frisco Lone Star at 8 p.m. Tuesday and Celina at 8 p.m. Friday.
