Panthers challenge Cardinals in second half

Clarinda (12-9) built a 15-point lead against the Panthers (7-14) Monday in Creston, but barely held on to win 74-65.

“We were down 15 at the half and talked about cutting the deficit in half going into the fourth quarter, which we did,” Creston coach Tony Neubauer said. “We got it down to a five-point game going into the fourth.”

The momentum switch happened as soon as the second half started, Brynn Tussey hitting a shot from the field and Hollynn Rieck making a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 10.

The Cardinals began to take back control with three consecutive layups, but the Panthers called a timeout at 51-35, ready to regroup.

Senior Ady Morrison got the crowd fired up as she nailed 3-pointers on two consecutive possessions. She would go on to hit another early in the fourth quarter.

“They chose not to guard one girl and left their big in the paint,” Neubauer said. “Ady Morrison came in and hit three huge threes that helped get us back into the game.”

The Panthers’ defense also made adjustments in the second half, and they were able to capitalize on timely turnovers.

“We started out in man defense and had a really hard time containing Addy Wagner,” Neubauer said. “We switched to our match-up zone halfway through the second quarter, which helped control tempo better.”

The Panthers scored six on turnovers to end the third quarter. Rieck had a steal before passing the ball deep to Kadley Bailey who made the layup. On her next steal, Rieck took the ball herself, getting fouled on her way to the basket. She sank both free throws.

With only seconds on the clock, Bailey grabbed a deflected ball, leading a fast break to the basket where she scored right at the buzzer to make the score 58-53.

Creston’s massive third quarter netted 27 points compared to allowing only 17 by the Cardinals.

The Panthers had four double-digit scorers led by Bailey with 19. Junior Ella Turner had 12 while Rieck and Morrison each chipped in 11.

Rebounding was led by Turner with eight while Rieck had a team-high six assists.

The Cardinals also had four in double digits led by Addison Wagoner with 20. Maddie Cole logged 19, Jerzee Knight had 14 and Kyle Meier put up 10.

Rebounds made a big difference in the game — Clarinda with 47 and the Panthers with 26.

“We still really struggled rebounding again which is something that we have to clean up before our regional game next week,” Neubauer said.

The fourth quarter started with a 3-pointer by the Cardinals, but the Panthers responded with two from Rieck and a three from Morrison.

A shot by Bailey would narrow the lead to 64-62, but the Panthers couldn’t find the tie or the lead. Fouls down the stretch gave Clarinda the nine-point win.

“Clarinda made some big shots down the stretch to hang on for the win,” Neubauer said. “I’m extremely proud of our kids’ effort getting themselves back in the game. We just need to put four consistent quarters of basketball together next week in our regional game.”

The game was the finale to the Panthers’ regular season as they face Winterset in regionals Wednesday.

STATS

CRESTON (64) — Totals — (FG FT PTS) 23 12-15 64. Kadley Bailey 7 5-6 19, Ella Turner 4 3-5 12, Ady Morrison 4 0-0 11, Hollynn Rieck 3 4-4 11, Brynn Tussey 3 0-0 7, Jensan Tussey 1 0-0 3, Braylee Pokorny 1 0-0 2. FG shooting — 23-65 (35.4 percent). 3-point goals — 7-18 (Morrison 3, Rieck 1, Turner 1, J. Tussey 1, B. Tussey 1). Rebounds — 26 (Turner 8, Rieck 6, B. Tussey 5, Bailey 4, Morrison 2, Pokorny 1). Assists — 12 (Rieck 6, Turner 4, B. Tussey 1, Pokorny 1). Steals — 13 (Rieck 6, Bailey 2, Turner 2, B. Tussey 2, J. Tussey 1). Blocked shots — 1 (Bailey 1). Turnovers — 11. Team fouls — 17. Fouled out — None.

CLARINDA (75) — Totals — (FG FT PTS) 12 12-15 65. Addison Wagoner 8 3-3 20, Maddie Cole 7 1-1 19, Jerzee Knight 5 4-9 14, Kylie Meier 3 2-4 10, Carsen Wellhausen 3 1-2 7, Ellie Cole 1 1-1 4. FG shooting — 27-56 (48.2 percent). 3-point goals — 8-23 (M. Cole 4, Meier 2, Wagoner 1, E. Cole 1). Rebounds — 47 (Wellhausen 16, Wagoner 14, Meier 6, E. Cole 5, Knight 4, M. Cole 2). Assists — 19 (Wagoner 5, Wellhausen 4, M. Cole 4, Knight 3, E. Cole 2, ). Steals — 11 (Meier 4, Knight 3, Wagoner 2, M. Cole 1, Miley Wagoner 1). Blocked shots — 10 (Wellhausen 9, Meier 1). Turnovers — 21.