LINCOLN – The Bearcats had #3 Lincoln Pius X on the ropes, but late free-throws and failed offensive opportunities allowed for the Thunderbolts to escape and advance into the semifinal round of the Heartland Athletic Conference Tournament. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
Kearney entered the contest as the #6 seed overall, having advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Lincoln North Star on Monday afternoon.
Pius was the #3 overall seed and had a bye to start the tournament.
Kearney made the trip to Lincoln and started working quickly, trading blows with the Thunderbolts. Pius Makenna Lesiak scored eight points in the first quarter, but triples dropping for Kearney kept the Bearcats at pace. Kaleigh Hatcher, Tatum Rusher, Kierstynn Garner, and Harley Straka each dropped a triple as Straka’s came to beat the buzzer to conclude the first quarter. Tied at 14, both teams entered the second quarter.
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Pius blew past Kearney in the second quarter, dominating in a 15-3 run in the proceeding eight minutes. Four scorers added buckets for the Thunderbolts, as Adison Markowski and Sara Iburg each had four points. Kearney only mustered a free throw by Rusher and a lay-in by Hatcher, but had an opportunity to cut the lead down at the end of the half. A turnover turned into an in-bounds play for Pius, where Charlee Hagedorn knocked down her own three pointer to conclude the first half. ‘Bolts led 29-17 entering the third.
The three point firing never stopped for Kearney, sharpshooting beyond the arc for four triples from four different players in the third quarter. Rusher, Straka, and Hatcher each added their own, while Kennidy Garner knocked down her first of the afternoon. Pius attempted to keep up, but was outgunned 14-7 in the third. Starting the fourth quarter, Kearney still trailed 36-31.
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The fourth quarter looked to be owned by Kearney early, as the Bearcats went on a 9-0 run to begin the quarter. The Bearcats held a 41-36 advantage, but it was all ‘Bolts after that. After bringing the game to 41-40 still in favor for Kearney, Markowski hit four consecutive free throws and Kearney was unable to find any success on their next offensive possessions. Add in another score for Pius, and the Thunderbolts escaped with their fifth win on the year.
Kearney falls to 5-3 on the season and awaits the new year to travel to Garden City, KS. The Bearcats had contributions from Hatcher with 14 points, 10 added by Rusher, 9 by Straka, 5 by Kierstynn Garner, and 3 by Kennidy Garner.
Pius takes on Lincoln East in the semifinals on Wednesday.
