EDMOND —  — After suffering a heartbreaking last-second loss Thursday to Oklahoma Christian School in the opening round of the Bruce Gray Invitational at Deer Creek Edmond, the Enid Pacers settled matters early against Putnam City West on Friday, racing out to an 18-0 lead on their way to a 55-26 rout of the Lady Patriots in the consolation semifinal.

The Plainsmen also prevailed Friday in their consolation semifinal, downing Oklahoma Christian School 48-42, but had to hang on after nearly letting a 15-point lead slip away late in the game.

The Pacers (9-6) dominated the contest against Putnam City West from the opening tip, holding the Lady Patriots (4-10) off the scoreboard until 1:48 remained in the opening period after recording the game’s first 18 points.

Pacers head coach Robb Mills liked the team effort displayed by Enid in the victory and its ability to rebound after Thursday’s 53-51 loss.

“There was a little bit of gloom going on after losing by two, but once the game started, it was forgotten,” Mills said.

“We played well the whole entire game,” added Mills, who felt it was Enid’s best effort of the season. “We needed a game like this to get us turned in a positive direction. Our team chemistry is getting better.”

The Pacers were led in scoring with 21 points from junior Courtney Chelf, but also had solid contributions from their role and reserve players as Grace Enmeier had seven points while both Megan Shewey and Esther DeClerck added seven points apiece coming off the bench.

“I just love the balance that our team is showing right now,” Mills said. “Megan (Shewey) plays hard and worked hard. She has not played since 8th grade and her improving physicality is showing. It’s nice to have another big girl in the game.”

The Pacers never were challenged by Putnam City West, which committed 27 turnovers in the game.

“We didn’t change things defensively as far as switching during the game,” Mills said. “The girls listened and bought in to the game plan.”

Allyson Aultman led the Lady Patriots, scoring 12 of the team’s 26 points.

Enid built up a 38-14 lead by halftime and led by as many as 33 points, stretching its advantage to 54-21 late in the fourth period, in securing its largest victory margin of the season since defeating Wichita Falls (Texas) 68-33 Dec. 8 at the Lady Bulldog Classic in Altus.

The win snapped a two-game skid and sends the Pacers into today’s 1 p.m. consolation championship against Western Heights, a team they defeated 49-34 in the Lady Bulldog Classic.

Enid 48, OCS 42 (B)

The Plainsmen rebounded from their opening round 74-58 loss to Mustang and were able to overcome the absence of leading scorer Mitchell Foote with a 48-42 victory Friday over OCS (6-7) that was closer than it should have been.

Enid started fast, opening up an 8-2 lead in the first quarter and were up 26-14 by halftime when Deon Parker hit a three-pointer just before the half.

The Plainsmen (5-9) again were without Mitchell Foote, who missed his third straight game with a sprained ankle and is currently in a walking boot. Foote likely will not be available until the Plainsmen host Grove Jan. 28.

Without Foote in the lineup, the Plainsmen still were able to dominate OCS through three quarters of play, led by Jemarcus Jackson’s team-high 14 points. Senior Marcus Elmore contributed 12 points and was one of nine Plainsmen that scored.

But the game nearly got away from Enid in the fourth quarter, despite forcing 20 turnovers, due to some ice-cold free throw shooting.

“I was really pleased with our defensive intesnity and the way we played through three quarters,” said Plainsmen head coach Ryan Wilkinson. “But we have to get better at not looking at the scoreboard. This has happened a couple of times now where we relaxed and let somebody back in.”

The Plainsmen entered the final stanza up by 15 points, 40-25 after Jackson closed out the third period with a three-pointer. Jackson’s triple would be the last field goal of the game for the Plainsmen, who struggled at the free throw line throughout the game, going only 11-of-29 from the charity stripe for the game, including 8-of-18 in the fourth period.

All of Enid’s fourth period points were from free throws, but the Plainsmen’s 10 fourth period chairty stripe misses kept the contest much closer than it should have been.

“We started to play not to lose and we have to learn to keep our defensive intensity up,” Wilkinson said. “We were right on the cusp of putting (OCS) away, but gave up a couple of easy baskets to give them momentum and our free throw shooting really hurt us.”

With the Plainsmen struggling to convert their free throws, the Saints were twice able to cut the Enid lead to five points, 44-39 with 35 seconds remaining and 47-42 when OCS’ Justin Harris hit a three pointer with 12 seconds remaining. But the Saints could draw no closer, and Enid held on for the 48-42 victory.

“It was an ulgy win, but we’ll take it,” Wilkinson said. “We come into every tournament with the idea of winning two to three games, so hopefully we can close this one out with a win.”

With the win, the Plainsmen advance to today’s 2:30 p.m. boys consolation final against Star Spencer, which defeated Western Heritage in the other consolation semifinal.

Both games today can be heard on KGWAnews.com.