MARION, N.C. – A strong start and even stronger finish bookended a signature win for McDowell’s girls basketball program.

Hosting defending 2A western champion East Burke in a showdown of undefeated teams, the Titans rallied from down 8 to win 56-52.

Kensly Stewart poured in 20 points, including two late three-point baskets that fueled a 22-7 fourth quarter run.

The Titan defense rose to the occasion in the fourth by holding East Burke’s star point guard Braelyn Stilwell scoreless in the final period. Stilwell led all scorers with 26.

McDowell executed in the half-court early on to build an 11-2 advantage. Stilwell cut the deficit to 11-6 through one and got her pace moments into the second.

Stilwell scored 22 of East Burke’s 25 first half points, including 17 in the second quarter. A three-point play gave the Cavaliers their first lead, and a three from the wing inflated the score to as much as 20-12 with 3:25 left in the second.

Clara McCartha’s first three of the game helped McDowell dig its way out of a 25-20 halftime deficit and eventually tie the score at 29-29 in the final two minutes of the third.

Stilwell and Stewart traded triples to knot things up 32-32. East Burke jumped ahead 36-34 at the end of the third behind two Stilwell free throws.

The Cavalier advantage jumped back up to eight following consecutive three-point baskets from Maci McNeil and Kara Brinkley.

Trailing 42-34, McCartha and Sage Young dialed up a response to close the gap to 42-40 with 4:48 left.

Stewart’s two fourth quarter three’s pulled the Titans within one at 44-43, and gave them the lead at 46-45.

Brinkley momentarily ripped the lead back to the road side, but Young connected from three to give McDowell the lead for good.

Ahead 51-49 with 27.6 seconds left, Lanie Dameron intercepted a Stilwell inbound attempt and found McCartha for the dagger.

McCartha and Young combined to score all 19 of their points in the second half.

McDowell remains perfect following the victory. The Titans are 10-0 and welcome in Weddington on Monday for a non-conference 4A matchup.

East Burke is 11-1 overall and hosts Newton-Conover on January 7 for a conference showdown. The Cavaliers finished the regular season 9-1 in non-conference games.

BOX SCORE
MCD: 11-9-14-22 56
EBU: 5-20-11-16 52

SCORING
MCD: Ke. Stewart 20, Dameron 10, Young 10, McCartha 9, Carter 4, Ki. Stewart 2
EBU: Stilwell 26, Brinkley 10, McNeil 9, Sisk 5, McDowell 2