LINCOLN – The Kearney girls fought through all four quarters but ultimately could not seal a win over Lincoln North Star on the road on Friday night, falling 55-52. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
The Bearcats had last played a week prior at home, breaking a losing skid with a win over Norfolk. With a week to prepare, Kearney aimed to get to double-digit victories with a win at North Star Friday night.
North Star had improved in dramatic fashion from the previous season, already surpassing their win total from the year prior under second year head coach Tommy Johnson.
KHS GBB
As the game started, North Star’s talented freshman showcased early with big shots dropping in the opening moments from Sarah Gatwech and Ani Leu. Kearney was able to keep pace with Kennidy Garner’s opening triple and Kelsey Hatcher connecting from downtown as well. Tatum Rusher added her own three-pointer, but the slight edge went the way of the home team as North Star led 17-13 at the end of the first.
KHS GBB
Kearney kept pace with North Star in the second, but a big second quarter by Gatwech adding six points and Kendall Anderson hitting two three pointers aided in keeping the Gators in the lead. Kearney would not go away easily, as Hatcher connected on two more triples in the quarter. Harley Straka hit two free throws while Kiara Dutenhoffer scored her fourth point. The Bearcats still faced a deficit at 29-23.
The third quarter turned into the Tatum Rusher show, with the senior leader exploding with eight points. Rusher had assistance from Garner hitting her second three pointer while Maddy Province found her first scores of the contest with four points. Leu added six more points in the third as Gatwech added another four. Despite the 17-12 advantage in the third, Kearney continued to trail 41-40 entering the fourth quarter.
KHS GBB
In the fourth, the deficit could not be overcome as Kearney’s Rusher added another seven points but the one possession contest stayed just out of reach as Kearney could not regain the lead and ultimately fell late despite a chance at the end of the contest to bring the game to a tie. The Bearcats dropped to 9-8 with the 55-52 loss in Lincoln.
Kearney had contributions from Rusher with 18 points, Dutenhoffer and Hatcher each had 9, Garner ended with 8, Province finished with 4, while Straka and Paige Mailahn each had 2.
The Bearcats continue their weekend travel to Omaha Benson on Saturday afternoon. KGFW’s pregame begins at 12:45 PM with tip-off against the Bunnies set for 1 PM.
