KEARNEY – The Bearcats had ten different players score, held Fremont to single digits scoring in three out of the four quarters, and dominated in a 77-36 win in the first round of the Heartland Athletic Conference Tournament on Monday afternoon. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
Kearney entered the contest at 3-3 on the year after evening their record in a road weekend two weeks ago at Norfolk and Columbus. The Bearcats were seeded #6 by the coaches of the conference, and earned a home match against #11 Fremont. The Tigers (1-6) returned from Orlando, Florida earning their first win on the season but not yet having won on Nebraska hardwood this season.
The Bearcats started off on a sluggish start offensively. After trading turnovers and missed passes with the Tigers in the opening minutes, Kearney leaned on the return of star center Will Vanderbeek for immediate offensive impact. The senior led the way with back-to-back scores and defensive plays, while also adding a triple for the first time this season. Parker Wise also found four points but Jack Dahlgren made the impact plays with six points dropped in the first quarter. Kearney also held Fremont to only nine points in the first quarter total, and limited Tigers’ star Carter Sintek to three. The Bearcats led 17-9 at the end of the first.
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The second quarter promised more offensive rhythm from both sides, as Kearney edged Fremont 24-16 in the proceeding eight minutes. Jack Mundorf added two triples to get his scoring started, while freshman Ben Johnson knocked down six straight free throws to add to his total. Dahlgren continued his scoring with another triple, and scoring was abound for both sides as Kearney led into halftime with momentum at 41-25.
The second half was all Kearney, as the Bearcats only allowed eleven total points to be added in the next 16 minutes of play. The defensive showdown started with key pressure and turnovers, followed by defensive rebounds and added possessions for Kearney. Scoring also showed for the Bearcats, as Mundorf knocked down another triple, Vanderbeek added a dunk and lay-in, while Wise electrified with a triple and two more shots inside. Kearney broke open the game leading 59-34 at the end of the third quarter.
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Reserves saw action in the fourth quarter while more smiles were shared for Kearney, earning a 77-36 win over Fremont.
Kearney had contributions from Mundorf with 16 points, Vanderbeek finished with 15, Wise had 12, Dahlgren concluded with 11, Johnson ended with 8, Tristan Maihlan and Cole Feddersen had 4, Karter Lee had 3, and Kaden Miller and Ty Lightle had 2 each.
The #6 seeded Bearcats take on #3 Lincoln Pius X on Tuesday afternoon. Pregame coverage begins at 3:30 PM on KGFW or after the conclusion of the girls contest.
