Jerry Jarrell photo - Dexter's Jill Temples tries to get a handle on the ball after taking a hand off from teammate Katelyn Heil during Thursday's 58-42 SEMO Conference win at home over the Lady Tigers of Cape Central.

It wasn't the Lady Bearcats' best effort of the season, but a win is a win.

Dexter appeared sluggish from the outset, but the Lady 'Cats still found their way around the court for a 58-42 SEMO conference win at home Thursday over the Lady Tigers of Cape Central.

Dexter looked slow from the opening tip-off and it took a late basket by Ashlee Taylor to cut Cape Central's lead to just 15-13 after the first period.

Both teams missed numerous scoring opportunities to start the second until Sammy Waldner scored to tie the game at 15-all with 5:18 to play.

Taylor Kirn's free throw briefly pushed Cape Central back out front before Katelyn Heil's offensive rebound and put back pushed the Lady 'Cats out front, 17-16. Dexter never relinquished the lead from there, but they were never really able to put the Lady Tigers away.

Dexter salvaged a 24-19 lead at the half and pushed the advantage to 38-27 after three periods. The Lady 'Cats held a 20-15 advantage over the final eight minutes to seal the win.

"They (Cape) came ready to play," Dexter coach Chad Allen said. "We didn't play up to our potential, but, you know, sometimes you have ugly games like that but it's always nice to come out on top."

Four players finished in double figures for Dexter, with Jill Temples and Taylor leading the way with 13 points each. Katelyn Heil finished with 11 (nine below her season average) while Sammy Waldner chipped in with 10.

Cape Central's 6'2" junior Wendi Zickfield lead the Lady Tigers in scoring with 15 points.

The win improves Dexter's record to 18-3 overall and assured the Lady Bearcats of at least a share of the SEMO Conference title with an 8-0 record.

"We're at least going to tie for the conference championship, but hopefully we'll win it outright by beating Poplar Bluff Monday," Allen.

The Lady Mules own a 60-58 tournament win over the Lady 'Cats this season, and Poplar Bluff coach Kirk Chronister was in attendance Thursday scouting the game. The Lady Mules have just one conference loss this season, that coming against Jackson.

Hopefully the Lady Bearcats will be able to elevate their game for tonight's important home district game with Perryville.

"They (Perryville) are doing very well this year," Allen commented. "They are 17-4. They have some great players - they are mostly all seniors - and they have everybody coming back from what they had last year. They are definitely going to be a tough team to beat."

Will the back-to-back games poise a problem for your team?

"Hopefully not," Allen said. "These girls are in pretty good shape. Hopefully they'll get some good rest tonight and we'll get another victory tomorrow (Friday)."

Cape Central won the junior varsity game, 42-21.

Tonight's game with Perryville will tip-off with junior varsity action at 6 p. m. with varsity play to follow.