CLAY CENTER — After a road loss to Nemaha Central, the Concordia girls basketball team rebounded on the road versus NCKL rival Clay Center, winning in a dramatic thriller 48-47 for some much needed momentum entering postseason play.
After a slow start to the game, the Panthers found themselves trailing 8-3 early, but were able to find their groove to go on a 7-0 run to take the lead. With each team closing the quarter with one point each, Concordia led 11-9 after one quarter.
The Panther defense was making things difficult for the Tigers, holding them off the board for the first four and a half minutes of the second quarter. Concordia was able to take a 21-14 lead, but a late 5-0 spurt by the Tigers made it a 21-19 Panther lead entering halftime.
The third quarter saw back-and-forth action between the two offenses, as Concordia tried to hold on to the lead that the Tigers were trying to regain. Concordia’s offense stalled late, which allowed Clay Center to take a 35-29 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Concordia was able to knock the lead down to one possession, 38-35, but the Tigers were able to make a push and make it 47-38 with two minutes to go. A Jaylin Roush floater, a Marlee VanMeter layup, a pair of Graceyn Weaver free throws and a VanMeter three tied the game at 47 with 10 seconds to go. VanMeter stole the inbound pass, passed it to Rylie Jessup, who passed to Roush who got fouled, and she made the game-winning free throw to win 48-47.
Roush led in scoring with 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists and a steal.
Charlize Cash had nine points, two rebounds, three assists and a steal.
Avery Kueker had eight points, Weaver and VanMeter had six each, with VanMeter having five rebounds, three steals and two assists.
