KEARNEY – Despite a slow start offensively, the Bearcats girls basketball team stayed resilient and found a way to win over Columbus at home on Saturday afternoon, earning a 46-43 overtime victory in the process. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
Kearney entered off one of the strongest performances of the season in a win over Lincoln Southeast the night before, controlling the Knights for a 56-28 conference victory. The Bearcats were running in the right direction, hoping to continue their winning into the end of the regular season as they matched up with the Columbus Discoverers at home.
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Columbus had other plans, taking control on a bewildering offensive start by Kearney as the Bearcats only knocked down one field goal – a Tatum Rusher three pointer – in the opening eight minutes of the game. Columbus had consistent scoring from multiple players, taking advantage early with a 9-4 lead including a triple by Jordyn Trotta.
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The Bearcats aimed to get back into the contest despite their slow start, having some offensive momentum as Kiara Dutenhoffer added four points and Kelsey Hatcher rolled in a score as well. Freshman Molly Goc hit a triple off the bench for Columbus as the Discoverers added six more points in the quarter, but a three by Kearney’s Avery Franzen and a half-ending lay-in by Hatcher kept the game a score contest as Kearney trailed 18-15 at halftime.
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A back-and-forth third quarter kept the crowd engaged at Kearney High School as Columbus erupted for 15 points all from downtown from three different players – Goc and Trotta hitting two each and Carly Gaedeke knocking in her own. Rusher kept Kearney in line with free throw shots and her own three pointer, while Kennidy Garner stepped up for the Bearcats with a three and adding her own bucket. Despite the offensive pace, the Bearcats faced another deficit down 33-27 entering the fourth quarter.
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As the Bearcats looked to get back, they relied on steady hands and free throw shooting, getting to the line early and often in the end of regulation. Rusher added four points while Garner went 2-for-2 at the line, and Hatcher added her own two points from the stripe. Columbus wouldn’t go down easily, adding traditional scoring by Ayla Janssen with her six points. As regulation neared, Paige Mailahn checked in for a big rebound and a three pointer to keep Kearney within one possession as the Bearcats trailed 41-39. A turnover by Columbus gave Harley Straka a strip and score along the baseline, tying the game at 41 each. Columbus would fail to inbound in time, and Kearney’s last shot fell off the mark as the game headed to overtime.
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In added time, the Bearcats solid free throw shooting proved worthy as Kearney held Columbus to only one field goal and two points scored, earning their 46-43 win at home.
Kearney improves to 13-9 on the season, matching their season win total from a year ago. The Bearcats take on Fremont on Tuesday night for a Valentine’s Day rematch with the Tigers.
Kearney had contributions from Rusher with 16 points, Garner had 8, Dutenhoffer ended with 7, Hatcher had 6, Franzen and Mailahn each had 3, Straka ended with 2, and Maddy Province wrapped with 1.
