EARL WATT
• Leader & Times
For a quarter, the Redskins kept the Hays Indians close before the Indians continued to outpace the Redskins with a strong game at the rim, and Liberal fell 65-41.
Liberal’s defense made inside shots difficult early, and when Hays did get chances, they struggled to sink the short-range shots.
Liberal used three pointers from Alan Olvera and Adrian Moreno in the first quarter to stay close, and the Redskins only trailed 13-10 after the first quarter.
But the Redskins never established a strong offensive presence with turnovers and missed shots in the second quarter while the Indians were able to complete possessions with points to outpace the Redskins 15-9 in the period, and the Redskins trailed 28-19 at half.
But it was the third quarter that put the game away.
The Redskins scored 13 points but gave up 22 points in a quarter where six different players scored for the Indians, and the Redskins trailed 50-32.
Despite the large advantage for the Indians, the Redskins were able to avoid the running clock even though the Indians were pushing the ball inside and either making baskets or earning trips to the free throw line. After starting the game one for four at the free throw line, Hays finished by making eight of 10 free throws the rest of the game including four in the fourth quarter, and the Redskins came up short, 65-41.
Moreno led the Redskins with 13 points.
