Lady Redskins can’t exorcise Lady Red Demons

Shamari Lewis prepares to make a pass against Dodge City Thursday. Lewis scored eight points in a 35-32 loss on a last-second three by Dodge City. L&T photo/Earl WattEARL WATT • Leader & Times

Superman had kryptonite, and the Lady Redskins had the Dodge City Lady Red Demons this season.

Two of the three losses for the Lady Redskins came at the hands of Dodge City, and both by three points.

The Lady Redskins may have felt like history was repeating itself Thursday in The Big House with another defensive battle against the Lady Red Demons.

The Lady Redskins trailed 20-12 at half and fell behind 25-12 early in the third quarter before battling back to take a two-point lead in the fourth quarter.

The two teams traded points late until Shamari Lewis made one of two free throws to tie the game in the final seconds.

Dodge City took a time out with 10.5 seconds to play and set up a final shot for senior Becca Unruh who launched a three through the basket with 1.5 seconds to play.

Liberal couldn’t get a shot off in the final second and fell 35-32.

Shamari Lewis and Halle West led the Lady Redskins with eight points each, and Rylie Hallman had six.

“We came out tight,” Liberal coach Brandi Fowler said. “I have to do a better job of keeping them loose from the opening tip. We wanted to honor our seniors, but this game doesn’t change the impact they had here and how much they mean to our program.”

The loss may have cost the Lady Redskins the Western Athletic Conference title, but it did not harm their position for the post season. Liberal will be the No. 2 seed in the West.

“We know we will host Junction City Wednesday night,” Fowler said. “We think we know Southeast and East are the other two in our bracket. We have to take care of business Wednesday night to earn our seniors another home game.”

And Lizzy Cisneros, one of those seniors who was injured, limped out for the tip.

“That ovation coming off the court, we wanted for her,” Fowler said. “She has done so much. We want to earn enough games so she can play with us.”