LINCOLN – The Bearcats had 23 points from Tatum Rusher as all three phases dominated in a road victory at Lincoln Southeast on Friday night. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
Kearney entered the Friday night tilt hoping to continue their strong play from their previous matchup with a Lincoln school, downing Lincoln Northeast the weekend prior at home. Southeast had been hot and cold all season, but did pull off some upsets over quality HAC schools earlier in the year.
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From the beginning, the contest proved Kearney’s ability early. Hitting shots and having success scoring early, it was the Bearcats’ defense that really proved its worth with a 7-0 run to start the opening 90 seconds. Kearney continued their run, but faltered in the final two minutes allowing the Knights to get a short run. Kearney kept their lead into the second quarter, up 14-9.
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In the second, Kearney began flexing their prowess again taking a 12-7 advantage with Tatum Rusher’s free throw shooting and a three pointer by Kelsey Hatcher. Southeast continued to try to keep pace, hitting a three by Sam Searcey, but the pressure from Kearney’s attack forced several turnovers to power the Bearcats to a 26-16 lead.
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The third quarter had Kearney clamp down defensively even further, and powered the Bearcats to a new hot streak of offensive scoring adding 19 while stuffing the Knights to only 6 – including a scoreless five minute run in the end of the third. Rusher hit back-to-back triples to start the half and added four more free throws while Hatcher controlled with two field goals. The Bearcats led 45-22 into the fourth quarter.
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It was the Bearcats day throughout, and they ended the day with a dominant win and complete performance as they ended the contest with a 56-28 victory.
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The Bearcats improved to 12-9 on the year and face Columbus at Kearney High School on Saturday afternoon. KGFW pregame begins at 3:15 PM.
Kearney had contributions from Rusher with 23 points, Hatcher with 10, Maddy Province had 9, Kennidy Garner ended with 6, Avery Franzen dealt 5, Harley Straka wrapped with 2, and Haidyn Skeen concluded with 1.
