Mistakes plagued the Morgan Academy Lady Senators for the entire first half, but Morgan still had little trouble handling Autauga Academy, 31-21, Monday night.

Traveling and three-second violations, along with personal fouls,

put the Lady Senators in deep foul trouble late in the second quarter.

Morgan Academy’s foul troubles put Autauga Academy in the bonus, but the Lady Generals were unable to take the lead.

One major reason was Katie Taylor’s 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block for Morgan.

Both teams struggled from the field during the opening period. That, however, changed in the second period.

Elizabeth Elliott’s bank shot began a 9-0 run for Morgan. Elliott finished with four points and six rebounds.

After Autauga Academy missed a foul shot, Morgan grabbed the rebound and took it the length of the court. Taylor capped the play with a lay-up that gave the Lady Senators an 18-10 cushion at halftime.

Casey Rutherford’s three-pointer brought Autauga Academy to within five. But Morgan’s defense and aggressive play on the boards proved to be the deciding factors.

Elliott’s rebounds gave the Senators all the opportunity the needed and her teammates did the rest. Elliott’s rebound was followed by a Taylor lay-up that put the Lady Senators’ lead in double-digits.

Morgan Academy showed flashes of brilliance in the fourth.

Quick passes from Laura Whitney Bennett to Taylor and Elizabeth Watters caught Autauga flat-footed. Bennett finished with three points, six rebounds, two steals and one assist.

In junior varsity play, Morgan improved to 5-4 on the season with a 21-12 win over Autauga Academy.

Jaye Lin Lawrence scored a game-high 10 points for the Lady Senators. Jaime Pilcher and Laura Lee Logan each earned four points.