COTTER — The Ozark Mountain Lady Bears have found a new gear after moving up freshman MaHaley Gilmore.
The No. 3 seed had been swept by both Cotter and Yellville-Summit in conference play this season, but the Lady Bears beat both of those teams on the third try this week to capture the district title.
Gilmore knocked down 11-of-12 free throws and totaled 16 points and seven rebounds to lead Ozark Mountain as it held off several Cotter comeback attempts.
Cotter suffered a drought of almost 8:00 without scoring in the first half, missing 13 straight shot attempts.
During that span, Ozark Mountain went on an 18-0 run to take command of the game. Along with the Lady Warriors' shooting woes, the hosts also got into foul trouble.
Ozark Mountain finished 21-of-30 from the foul line in the game, while Cotter shot 9-of-13.
The Lady Bears were already into the bonus only halfway through the second quarter and made 4-of-8 free throws in the period. Cotter guard Addison Deckeer picked up her third foul only 1:08 into the second quarter.
Ozark Mountain's lead reached its biggest at 26-7 on a 3-pointer by Kierra Kleinert. Cotter finally ended its drought on a bucket by Kenna Collins with 2:53 left in the half.
The Lady Warriors started to get some momentum and were within 28-16 on an old-fashioned 3-point play by Collins. A bucket by Laney Dwyer had Cotter within 31-20 by halftime.
The Lady Bears turned away every Lady Warrior rally in the second half. Cotter climbed as close as 39-30 on a 3-pointer by Decker late in the third period, but Ozark Mountain answered with five straight.
Cotter's Kylee Chastain heated up in the second half for 13 of her game-high 17 points. Laney Dwyer added nine points and six rebounds for Cotter, and Emma Jones collected a game-high 10 rebounds.
Cotter owned a 27-23 advantage in rebounding, while Ozark Mountain held a 16-13 edge in the turnover department.
Jailyn Jackson buried four 3-pointers and added 14 points for the Lady Bears, while Jasmine Fletcher scored 12 and Kleinert tallied 11. Brooklynn Tennnison and Tara Yocham contributed four points each.
