The Lady Cubs overcame a tough challenge from Holiday Tournament host Upsala last Monday, Dec. 29, surviving 64-62, and advancing to the championship game.
?ÄúIt was a great road win for our girls in a tournament atmosphere. It was also nice to see several players step up in key moments of the game, learning to win, expecting to win, and doing what it takes to find a way to make it happen. I think we may have seen a glimpse of that in tonight?Äôs contest,?Äù said coach Jeremy Kuechle.
With 2:37 remaining, the Cubs held a slim 59-55 lead. The Cardinals scored 7 unanswered to take the lead back, 62-59, with just over a minute left. Junior Becky Holtz came up big with an offensive rebound and put back to get the Cubs back to within one point at 61-62 with 1:01 left. Senior Madelyn O?ÄôBrien sunk a pair of free throws with 20.4 seconds on the clock to give the Cubs the lead for good. Taylor Schreiner hit 5 of 14 three-point attempts, tying a school record for three-point field goals made in a game.
Cubs?Äô Scoring: Emily Donnay, 11; Taylor Schreiner, 15; Hannah Serbus, 2; Madison Hurrle, 16; Madelyn O?ÄôBrien, 10; Caitlin O?ÄôBrien, 2; Rebeckah Holtz, 4; Mackenzie Leither, 2; Katie Merchant, 2.
Kimball and Melrose met up in the championship game. Melrose scored first on a three-point basket and kept the lead until the 5-minute mark of the first half when Kimball took its first lead, 14-12, on a three-pointer by Taylor Schreiner; and closed the half with a 20-15 lead. With just over four minutes left, Melrose scored the last field goal of the game to take the lead 31-29. Kimball made one free throw with just under a minute to play to
cut the lead to 31-30, but that?Äôs how the game would end, with Melrose pulling out a close one. The Cubs had numerous opportunities but shot poorly going 12 for 42 (28 percent) on field goal attempts and connecting on only 3 of 8 free throws. Melrose moves to 5-3 on the season and the loss drops the Cubs record to 5-5.
Cubs?Äô Scoring: Taylor Schreiner, 10; Madison Hurrle, 8; Madelyn O?ÄôBrien, 4; Rebeckah Holtz, 7; Mackenzie Leither, 1.
Sophomore guard Madison Hurrle was named player of the week for the week of Dec. 15-19. Madison scored 14 points, had 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and made the game-winning field goal with 4.5 seconds remaining, to give Kimball its first conference win of the season against Pierz.