EARL WATT
• Leader & Times
Kylie Rhine scored 10 of her 20 points in the first quarter to help the lady Redskins jump out to a lead they would never relinquish in a 54-35 win over Dodge City.
Rhine dropped two threes in the first quarter, and Shamari Lewis hit a basket while being fouled for an old-fashioned three, and by the end of the first quarter the Lady Redskins had an 18-7 lead.
Both defenses stiffened in the second quarter, and baskets became more difficult. Lewis led the Lady Redskins with seven of the 11 points scored by Liberal in the second quarter, and the Lady Redskins took a 29-17 lead at half.
The Liberal offense picked up its aggression in the third quarter and found its way to the free throw line for 10 shots. But they only made five of those. Rhine made her two free throws to go along with two more threes, and the Lady Redskins expanded their lead to 40-25.
The Lady Redskins were able to maintain their lead in the fourth quarter, and Liberal coach Brandi Fowler was able to get reserves in the game. Rubi Alvarez was able to drain a three in the fourth quarter for the Lady Redskins, and Liberal coasted to a 54-35 win in the Battle for the Bell showdown.
“We are always happy to get a WAC win and get the bell back,” Fowler said. “We are trying a little different look on defense, and the girls played hard. I was super impressed with their resilience and our senior leadership.”
Liberal traveled to Syracuse Saturday and moved to 9-2 with a 55-27 win.
