CHINA GROVE —Carson’s girls had their hands full with Statesville for a half in their first meeting this season.
In Friday’s rematch, the Cougars had their hands full for, oh … about as long as it takes to say Kelly Dulkoski.
Carson routed the Greyhounds 54-11 — yes, 11 — breaking the school record for fewest points allowed in the process.
The strange score shattered Carson’s school record, which had been set in a 71-16 romp against Statesville last season.
“We came to lock it down defensively tonight,” Carson’s Megan Gray said.
Mission accomplished. It was 11-0 when the Greyhounds (2-15, 1-7 NPC) finally scored almost seven minutes into the game on a stickback by Shamya Carr.
Even with a case of strep throat, Carson coach Brooke Misenheimer managed a small smile.
“We were up one at halftime last time we played them, and they are a quick and athletic team,” Misenheimer said. “We did a better job of controlling their drives this time, and we did it without fouling.”
Carson (16-4, 7-1) was coming off a disappointing loss Wednesday to West Rowan that plunged the NPC race into a three-way tie for first place, and the Cougars took it out on the Greyhounds.
“We were pumped,” Carson’s Alex Allen said. “Our goal was to get up on them quick and play sharp defense.”
Carson was able to get up quickly because Dulkoski shot like she usually does, not like she did against West. She scored 11 points in the first quarter, including 3-pointers that pushed the Cougars’ lead to 14-2, and then 17-2.
Dulkoski buried two more 3-pointers in the second quarter and Allison Blackwell hit one. By halftime, it was 34-6.
Defensively, the Cougars were just getting started. They held Statesville scoreless in the third quarter before the Greyhounds ran wild — relatively speaking — for five points in the final period.
Dulkoski had 23 points when she sat down for good with 10 minutes left to play.
Eight Cougars scored, including reserves Gray, Sydney Huffman and Jordy Clark.
Huffman made two jump shots. Clark had a driving and-one. Gray scored twice in the lane, including a lefty layup. She also took a charge and rejected a couple of shots.
“We played everybody a lot, but our defense was good no matter who we had in there,” Misenheimer said. “We’re fighting for first place, so every game is huge. We had good focus and we did what we needed to do.”

STATESVILLE (11) — Arnette 3, Carr 2, Parson 2, Hairston 2, Mayfield 2, Padgett, Turner, Elliot,
CARSON (54) — Dulkoski 23, Blackwell 7, Barringer 6, Allen 6, Gray 4, Huffman 4, Cole 2, Clark 2, Parks, VanVoorhis.

Statesville 2 4 0 5 — 11

Carson 17 17 11 9 — 54