By CHRIS DUNHAM

PDT Sports Writer

MINFORD—It wasn't the way things were expected to go for Breslyn Harris.

But as she often does, the senior got the job done for Minford.

Harris was held scoreless for the game's first 15:15 and sat for almost half the third quarter with three fouls. In spite of those things, she managed to score the 11 points necessary to get 1,000 for her career Thursday in the Falcons 67-43 victory over Northwest.

Harris knew the milestone was coming, but didn't know exactly when she'd reach it.

"I knew I was close but I didn't know exactly how many (points I needed)," she said. "No one would tell me, so I didn't know what to expect. I didn't know if I was going to get it tonight or Saturday. I had no idea."

When Harris stepped to the free throw line with 6:26 to play and nine points in the game, she could tell that the milestone was within reach.

"Whenever I went to the free throw line, Whitney McManus broke it to me," Harris said. "She didn't tell me. She just did a hand gesture. I wasn't for sure what she was talking about, but I had a feeling."

After rolling the first shot in off the back of the rim, Harris nailed the second one to put her at 1,000 exactly. The game was stopped, and the forward was honored at mid court by her coach for the accomplishment.

For the Falcons (12-5, 9-3), the accomplishment was the icing on the cake of their ninth conference win of the season.

"The added bonus was when Harris got her 1,000th point," Minford head coach Mark Chaney said. "Like I said when I was talking to everybody, I'm just glad to be a part of it. I'm glad to get the chance to give the ball to a player of this caliber. She's a really great kid."

McManus got the Falcons going early, scoring six and putting her team ahead 13-4 in the game's first seven minutes.

McManus led Minford with 13 points in the contest. Kendra Justice and Harris each added 11.

The Lady Falcons finished the first half on a 16-4 run spanning the last four minutes of the second quarter to take a 19 point lead into the locker room.

"I think there at first we were a little shaky," Chaney said. "Then we got out of our jitters a little bit and started playing a little better ball. We got a lead and then we were able to sub in and out quite a bit to work on players who will be in the rotation come tournament time."

The Lady Mowhawks were able to find success inside, but not always able to get the ball there. Minford forced Northwest into 30 turnovers in the contest, limiting Northwest's scoring opportunities.

Northwest was able to take care of the ball better in the second half, allowing it to go inside.

Forwards Brittany Williams and Brooke Smith combined to score all 17 of Northwest's third quarter points, as the Lady Mohawks pulled within 14 points, prompting Minford to call a timeout with 3:06 in the quarter.

Williams led all players with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Smith scored seven, while Devean Scarberry hit three 3s, scoring 11.

"We talked to them about (going inside) because Minford got in some foul trouble," Northwest coach Mark Spears said. "We told them to shot fake and take it to the rack. They were doing a lot of swatting and really weren't getting good position on us. That helped us to get those girls some scoring."

Spears was pleased with his team's effort against one of the SOC II's top teams.

"The girls played hard all night," he said. "Minford's one of the best teams in the league. We're a young team...and didn't get some shots to drop, or some stops we needed. But the girls play hard all the time and I'm proud of that effort."

The Lady Falcons are also working to improve as tournament play approaches.

"We're all coming together really well," Harris said. "Our bench is playing really strong. Everybody is just flowing a lot better than we were at the beginning of the season. It's a good time for everybody to pick it up going into tournament time."

Before the tournament starts, Minford has four regular contests left, starting with a trip to South Webster Saturday for an afternoon contest. The Lady Mowhawks also have an upcoming contest with the Lady Jeeps Monday night.

Northwest 9 4 17 13 — 43

Minford 13 19 14 21 — 67

Northwest—Williams 7 3 17, Scarberry 3 2 11, Smith 1 5 7, Malone 2 1 5, Wilson 1 0 2, Thompson 0 1 1. Totals 14 12 43.

Minford—McManus 6 1 13, Harris 4 2 11, Justice 4 0 11, Conrad 3 1 8, Martin 3 0 8, Wakle 2 0 4, Boldman 1 2 4, Butcher 1 1 3, Donahoe 1 1 3, Frazie 1 0 2. Totals 26 8 67.

3-pointers—Northwest 3 (Scarberry 3); Minford 7 (Justice 3, Martin 2, Conrad, Harris).

Records—Northwest 6-11 (3-7); Minford 12-5 (9-3).