Johnson ties Lady Mules' 3-point mark

Poplar Bluff junior Ruthie Johnson scored a career-high 27 points and tied the team record with six 3-pointers Thursday night as the Lady Mules beat Sikeston, 71-23, at Peters Gym.

Johnson hit six of her first eight 3-point attempts but missed two shots to break Emily Wyatt's record.

"It was a good night for Ruthie and I'm glad to see her tie that record," Lady Mules coach Kirk Chronister said.

Johnson's final two shots -- one three feet behind the line on the right wing and the other at the top of the key -- missed before she was fouled attempting a 3 from the left wing.

Wyatt hit six 3-pointers against West Plains in 1999.

"I think the girls on the bench must have let her know (she tied the record)," Chronister said. "She hit the 3 well, but I thought she also got to the rim real well. That's something we need to do."

Poplar Bluff's next five games are as tough as they come.

The Lady Mules travel Saturday to Notre Dame to play Incarnate Word, ranked first in Class 5, for a 3 p.m. tipoff before hosting Farmington (No. 10 in Class 4) on Tuesday. After that, the Lady Mules are at Portageville (No. 2 in Class 2), at Kelly (No. 7 in Class 3) and host Dexter (No. 1 in Class 4).