Thrashing visiting Ninety-Six 31-11 in the first quarter, Landrum’s women defeated their guests 74-32 in Tuesday evening’s first-round state varsity basketball playoff game. 

At the half, Landrum enjoyed a 53-17 lead over Ninety-Six. 

For the Cardinals against Ninety-Six, Lindsey Hardin led the winners with 28 points, including five 3-pointers. Other top Cardinal scorers were Sarah Price (18 points, with three threes), Londen (11 points), Bailey Butler (10) and Makena Israel (this week’s SC NC Realty Athlete of the Week, with seven).

Asya Louden led Ninety-Six with 11 points.

The Cardinals, now 20-4 on the season, play at Keenan at 7 p.m. Friday in round two. Keenan — only 12-7 on the regular season — finished 8-1 in its region. On Tuesday, Keenan ripped Buford 61-27 in its first-round challenge. 

“We will continue to practice the same way we have all year,” said Landrum head coach Deon Brice about how the team is preparing for Keenan. “We are going to keep doing the things that got us to this point. Also, we’ll try to keep our focus. It’s hard at this time of the season after playing a tough schedule.”