Panther girls turn back Vikings, 57-48

LINDSBORG — The Concordia Panthers wouldn’t let a halftime lead slip away for a second straight game.
Concordia led Republic County at halftime on Tuesday night, only to be outscored 39-14 in the second half of a 56-35 loss.
Playing on the road for the first time this season, the Panthers were up 25-8 on Smoky Valley late in the first quarter.
Smoky Valley would trim that deficit to four points twice in the second half, and each time Concordia was able to respond on its way to a 57-48 victory Friday night.
“We did a better job of righting the ship,” Concordia coach Michael Wahlmeier said, “We made better adjustments on the court. We got burned by the same play three or four times in the Republic County game. We were able to do a better job of adjusting.”
Concordia (1-2) was trailing 8-7 early in the second quarter when it went on an 18-0 run.
Ciara Kearn came off the bench to knock down a three-point shot and a long two during that spurt.
“I thought Ciara Kearn came in and gave us some energy. She had a really good JV game and that kind of carried over into the varsity game,” Wahlmeier said.
Smoky Valley (0-3) went over seven minutes without scoring before Emmie Ryals connected on a three as time ran out in the half to close the gap to 25-11.
The Vikings carried that momentum over into the second half.
Ryals banked in a three and Smoky Valley hit five of six free throws during a 10-0 surge that made it a 25-21 game.
A jumper by Zoe Bechard, a free throw by Kearn and a three by Miller pushed Concordia’s lead back to double digits, 31-21.
Miller, who sat much of the first half with two fouls, scored 20 of her game high 24 points in the second half.
“We sat her (Miller) a little bit in the first half because she had two fouls and we had the lead,” Wahlmeier said, “She came out with some fire in the second half. She is the one who got us going.”
Ashlyn Bryant hit a jumper for Smoky Valley, but the Panthers answered with a three by Miller and a free throw by Terin Rundus to go up 35-23.
The Vikings outscored the Panthers 6-3 over the final two minutes of the third quarter to get within six points, 38-32.
A layup by Kira Haxton left Smoky Valley trailing just 38-34 1:10 into the final period.
Miller hit a jumper for Concordia.
A basket by Bri Franklin again made it a four point game, 40-36.
Miller again responded with a bucket, and Concordia led 42-36.
A pair of free throws by Lana Clark pulled Smoky Valley back within four points, 42-38, with 5:59 to play.
The Vikings had chances to get even closer, but missed on four straight free throw attempts.
A three by Miller, a short jumper by Karlee Wahlmeier and two free throws by Miller put Concordia on top 49-38.
Smoky Valley would not get closer than seven points after that.
Kendall Reynolds scored six points and grabbed eight rebounds for Concordia.
Bechard and Kearn scored six points each.
Clark and Haxton scored 11 points each for Smoky Valley.
Both teams struggled scoring the ball early on, and the game was tied at 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.
A free throw early in the second period gave Smoky Valley its last lead at 8-7.
Bechard hit from 15 feet to start the big run by Concordia.
A three by Kendall Reynolds gave the Panthers their biggest lead, 25-8.
Smoky Valley would get close in the second half, but couldn’t overtake the Panthers.
Concordia will open North Central Kansas League play at Marysville on Tuesday night.

CONCORDIA (57)
Bechard 3-0-2 6, K. Kearn 0-2-1 2, E. Wahlmeier 1-0-3 2, Conway 1-0-5 2, Reynolds 2-1-3 6, Strait 0-1-1 1, K. Wahlmeier 2-1-1 5, C. Kearn 2-1-0 6, Rundus 1-1-0 3, Miller 8-5-3 24. Totals: 20-12-19 57.
SMOKY VALLEY (48)
Brumbaugh 2-1-2 6, Gerlach 0-0-1 0, Ki. Haxton 5-0-2 11, Ke. Haxton 10-3 2, Clark 2-7-2 11, Ryals 2-0-4 6, Ryan 0-1-0 1, Bryant 1-0-0 2, Franklin 3-2-5 8. Totals: 15-11-19 48.