The Lady Houn's knew a second win this season against Big 8 Conference foe Cassville would not be easy, but they also knew there would not be another game this season without the first-round win in the Class 4 District 11 at Republic Saturday. Perhaps that would be motivation enough, as three-seed Aurora upended six-seed Cassville 49-36.

Cassville held the lead most of the first quarter, but a late 3-pointer by Aurora senior Baylee Hilton and two free-throws by Shania Siegrist ignited the Lady Houn's offense and put Aurora up one after one quarter of play, 14-13.

Aurora stretched that lead to nine in the second quarter, but five quick points by Raeghen Blisard pulled the Lady Wildcats back to within two by the break, 24-22.

"Cassville played hard," said Aurora head coach Kevin Besch, "and they were ready for us."

The Lady Houn's opened the second half with a 5-0 run to build its lead to seven, 29-22. Lakin Waggoner had three of those five points to pace Aurora early in the third quarter. That lead grew to double-figures in the third quarter, as Aurora led by 10, 34-24, with 2:22 remaining in the quarter. Cassville finished the third period on a 6-0 run, however, and that kept the Lady Wildcats in the game, 34-28.

A 5-2 run to open the fourth quarter gave Aurora its 9-point lead once again and that lead grew even as the Lady Houn's slowed the game down and started taking the air right out of the ball and the Cassville Lady Wildcats. Aurora's biggest lead came at the buzzer, 49-36.

"Our ladies found a way to win even through a rough start," Besch said. "We'll take the win and get ready for West Plains."

Rachel Parker led the Lady Houn's with 13, while Hilton added 10.

Cassville was led by Blisad's game-high 14 points.

Cassville -- 13 9 6 8 -- 36
Aurora -- 14 10 10 15 -- 49

Cassville -- Raeghan Blisard 14, Makenzy Durossette 5, Ashlea Large 4, Katelyn Pitts 4, Brooke Fields 4, Lindsey Halterman 2, Britani Long 2, Macey Parsons 1
Aurora -- Rachel Parker 13, Baylee Hilton 10, Shania Siegrist 6, Lakin Waggoner 7, Emily Parker 5, Jordan Hall 3, Jackie Stephens 3, Erica Tucker 2