Resurgence of Two Lady's Programs Sees Maumelle Fall Just Short as eStem Seals Victory at The Nest

It's Tuesday night at The Nest, and the Maumelle Lady Hornets and the eStem Lady Mets squared off in a fierce battle, each looking to prove themselves after seasons of rebuilding. The game didn’t disappoint, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the very last second. The Lady Mets ultimately pulled off a 57-53 victory, but the journey to that final score was a dramatic tug-of-war that showcased each team's hunger for success.

Maumelle started strong, led by the fiery play of junior guard Christianity Garland. She powered the Lady Hornets to a quick lead, sinking seven straight points as Maumelle pulled ahead 10-5 with just under five minutes to go in the first quarter. The Lady Mets, however, made it clear they weren’t going down easily. They held their ground, with key contributions on the boards from Samiya Magsby and Morgan Thornton, who grabbed rebound after rebound to keep the game within reach. By the end of the first quarter, Maumelle held a slim lead, but eStem’s intensity on the court was palpable.

The second quarter saw eStem claw their way back. Magsby’s flawless shooting performance was a game-changer; she went 4-for-4 from the floor, scoring eight of her ten first-half points in the second quarter alone. Thornton joined in, tallying 11 points by halftime as the Mets closed the gap. Meanwhile, Maumelle’s Makaylen Hall was a force under the basket, contributing six points, four steals, four rebounds, and four assists by halftime, anchoring the Lady Hornets' efforts on both ends of the floor. At the half, Maumelle clung to a 32-26 lead, but it was clear this game would go down to the wire.

When the teams returned for the third quarter, the energy in the gym surged. Garland continued her scoring streak, going 100% from the floor and notching two three-pointers to lift her team’s spirits. But eStem's rebounding and grit kept them in the game, outscoring Maumelle 19-13 in the quarter and tying the score. Magsby and Thornton were relentless on the boards, creating multiple second-chance scoring opportunities that chipped away at Maumelle’s lead. By the end of the third, the game was tied, setting up an epic fourth-quarter showdown.

The final quarter brought high-stakes basketball, with each team trading baskets and locking in on defense. As the clock ticked down, every rebound and every point carried weight. Magsby dominated the glass until she fouled out with just 41 seconds remaining, finishing with a game-high 16 rebounds. In the closing moments, eStem’s leading scorer, Morgan Thornton, who racked up 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists, stepped to the free-throw line. With the crowd holding its breath, Thornton sank both shots with just over nine seconds left, sealing the Lady Mets' 57-53 victory.

It was a heartbreaker for Maumelle, who played a strong game but couldn’t hold off eStem’s final push. With Garland’s consistent scoring and Hall’s well-rounded play, the Lady Hornets have laid a solid foundation to build on as they look ahead to their matchup against the Maumelle Charter Lady Falcons. Meanwhile, the Lady Mets head into their next game against the Nettleton Lady Raiders riding high on the momentum of this hard-earned win. Both teams have shown they’re ready to make noise this season, and fans can expect more intense matchups ahead.

KFletch🖤