Lady Indians Earn Victory Over Lady Buffs
The St. Francis Lady Indians and Rawlins County Lady Buffaloes met in the championship game of the Northwest Kansas League Tournament only six days before their NWKL match-up on Friday, January 25. The Lady Buffs defeated the Lady Indians in the tournament championship game 36-47. On Friday, the Lady Indians earned the victory (38-34) before a good-sized crowd in St. Francis. The JV Lady Indians lost a close contest 12-13.
St. Francis led the two-quarter junior varsity contest throughout most of the game. The Lady Indians scored the first basket on a left-elbow jumper by McKenna Poling. An offensive rebound basket by RC's Brea Lankas (5' 10" Jr.) moved the score to 4-3 with about a minute-and-a half left in the first period. An assist from Poling on a back-door cut by Emma Johnson made the score 6-3 at the first quarter horn.
The final period opened with a score in the lane by RC's Ashlyn Livas (5'2" Fr.). At 5:55, an offensive rebound basket by Libby Mosley (5' 4" Jr.) gave RC their first lead of the contest. St. Francis answered with two free-throws and a right-wing shot by Jordyn Faulkender (assist Emma Johnson). An offensive rebound basket by Brea Lankas moved the scoreboard to 10-9. At 1:35, a post-move basket by Angie Singhateh (5' 8" Sr.) returned the lead to the Lady Buffs (10-11). At 1:09, RC took a time-out to discuss strategy. A baseline shot by Ashlyn Livas increased the deficit to 10-13, and with 32 seconds remaining, St. Francis called time out. The Lady Indians earned a good look at the basket, but the shot did not fall. Lankas grabbed the rebound for RC, and the Lady Buffs called another time-out with 12 seconds remaining. A consecutive time-out was used by RC after viewing the St. Francis defense. The Lady Indians regained possession, and McKenna Poling scored on a baseline drive. The Lady Indians immediately called time-out, but only two seconds remained. The Lady Buffs inbounded the ball for the win. St. Francis lost to Rawlins County in the junior varsity contest 12-13. It was the first loss of the season for the Lady Indian JV team.
The varsity contest began slowly as neither team could get the ball to go in the basket consistently. St. Francis called time-out four minutes into the contest and neither team had yet scored. Rawlins County earned the first basket of the game; a score in the lane by Amy Crouse (5' 7" Sr.). Angie Singhateh (5' 8' Sr.) soon added the second basket on an out-of-bounds play lob. The only basket the Lady Indians would score in the initial period was a driving score by Lindsey Johnson. St. Francis trailed 2-4 after one quarter of play.
Though both teams were playing excellent defense, the scoring pace would improve in the second period. Emma Johnson opened the quarter with a top-of-the-key trey. At 6:22, RC took their first time-out to adjust defensively. Emma followed with a post basket giving the Lady Indians a 7-4 advantage. RC took the lead on two free-throws and a jumper in the lane by Angie Singhateh. With five minutes left in the first half, RC led 7-8. An assist from Emma Johnson set up a right-corner trey by Lauren Johnson returning the lead to the Lady Indians. Rawlins County's Ashlyn Livas drained a left-wing trey moments later returning the lead to RC. Livas was fouled on the play but missed the "and one" free-throw. RC's Abby Singhateh (5' 7" Fr.) grabbed the errant free-throw and scored (10-13). St. Francis answered with a two post baskets by Jordyn Faulkender (assists Lauren Johnson and McKenna Poling) restoring the SF advantage. A driving score by Faulkender increased the margin to three (16-13). An assist by Lauren Johnson set up a score by Emma Johnson in the lane resulting in a five-point margin. With 42 seconds left, Emma Johnson picked up her 3rd foul and headed to the bench. Rawlins County would score three free-throws before the half concluded. St. Francis led 18-16 at the halftime break. St. Francis only had 6 turnovers in the first half; RC had 16.
Rawlins County's aggressive defense kept the Lady Indians from scoring throughout much of the third period. St. Francis was also looking sharp defensively, and the Lady Buffs were finding it hard to earn baskets also. At 6:21, RC's Amy Crouse scored on a driving basket tying the score. At 5:25, Crouse scored from the right-wing to give the Lady Buffs a two-point advantage (20-22). With 3:28 left in the third period, St. Francis called time-out searching for a way to score. After returning to the floor, Emma Johnson earned a post-move basket. On the next possession, Johnson earned two free-throws after attempting to post-up again. Jordyn Faulkender added two more free-throws a bit later to extend the margin to 24-20. RC added the final basket of the period; another score by Crouse. The Lady Indians held a slim 24-22 margin after three quarters of action.
McKenna Poling opened the final period with an out-of-bounds play score for the Lady Indians. The margin of four points (26-22) matched the largest lead of the contest thus far. RC responded with a driving basket from Amy Crouse. At 6:25, Lindsey Johnson picked up her 4th foul and left the contest. At 5:50, St. Francis used another time-out; their third of the contest. In the next few minutes, RC would add 6 more points; completing an 8-point run. Angie Singhateh chipped in a free-throw, Libby Mosley (5' 4" Jr.) added a transition jumper, Singhateh added two more free-throws, and Mosley added a free-throw. The flurry gave the Lady Buffs a 26-30 advantage matching their largest lead of the contest. After two free-throws by Karly Bandel, Singhateh added a one-of-two. On the missed free-throw, RC gathered the rebound and called time-out (3:14). At 2:47, Crouse swished consecutive free-throws giving RC the largest margin by either team in the contest--five points (28-33). St. Francis used their 4th time-out at 2:01. At 1:37, Lauren Johnson sank two free-throws trimming the deficit to 30-33. Crouse followed with 1-of-2 at the opposite end. At 1:25, RC used their 4th time-out. On the next St. Francis possession, an assist from Lauren Johnson set up a left-wing jumper by Karly Bandel. With 26 seconds left, a steal-two by Lindsey Johnson (plus one) returned the lead to St. Francis (36-34). RC used their final time-out with 17 seconds remaining. With 8 seconds left, RC was called for a charging foul. On the inbounds play, Emma Johnson was fouled. Emma calmly swished both free-throws to seal the win. St. Francis used their final time-out after the free-throws. As expected, St. Francis and Rawlins County had battled closely throughout, with the Lady Indians earning a 38-34 victory.
Rawlins County senior Amy Crouse led all scorers with 15 points. Angie Singhateh added 8 to the RC total. The Lady Buffs made 11 of 24 from the line, were whistled for 15 fouls, and committed 26 turnovers.
St. Francis was led in scoring by Emma Johnson with 13 points. Jordyn Faulkender added 8, Lauren Johnson 5, Lindsey Johnson 5, Karly Bandel 5, and McKenna Poling 2. The Lady Indians committed 16 turnovers, had 23 fouls, and shot an excellent percentage from the stripe (11 of 12).
The Lady Indians will play Holyoke, Colorado, on Tuesday, January 29, in Holyoke.
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