Go
Saints!

Thursday
March 28th, 2024

audreyfloaterLiberal’s Audrey Gilmorer releases a floater in the lane against Hay Saturday. Gilmore scored four points, and the Lady Redskins cruised to a 52-39 win to mvoe to 6-0 on the seaosn and 2-0 in the Western Athletic Conference. L&T photo/Earl WattBy EARL WATT

Leader & Times

HAYS — Katie Horyna and Aubrey Warden each scored four points in the first two minutes of Saturday’s Western Athletic Conference match-up with Hays for a quick 8-1 lead, and the No. 2 Lady Redskins cruised to 7-0 with a 53-29 win.

The Lady Redskins pushed the lead over 30 in the second half and enacted the running clock, and the lopsided lead allowed Liberal coach Carter Kruger to clear his bench.

Horyna scored eight of her 18 points in the first quarter, and the Lady Redskins had a 13-4 lead.

Horyna added a three in the second quarter, and the Lady Redskins continued to pour on the offense. 

While the Lady Redskins offense was scoring at will, Hays struggled to find shots against the Lady Red defense.

By the end of the half, Liberal had a 34-8 lead.

Machia Mullens opened the second half with a three, and the Lady Redskins continued to expand the lead, building it as high as 44-13 in the third quarter before Hays was able to squeeze back under 30 at 46-17 at the end of the period.

But Mellens opened the fourth with a basket that pushed the lead back over 30 and enacted the running clock the rest of the period.

Kruger was able to make massive substitutions the rest of the fourth quarter, and the Lady Redskins cruised to the 53-29 win.

Horyna led Liberal with 18 points. Mullen scored 12, and Warden had 11.

“We came with the right mentality, right preparation,” Kruger said. “I thought our defense was solid all night. We played pretty well for stretches. Our main emphasis was coming together and becoming the team we need to be.”

Two years ago, the Lady Redskins dropped a game in Hays, and Kruger watched that recording on the way to Hays Saturday, knowing that upsets could happen there.

“We remember dropping that game here,” Kruger said. “More than anything it can be a tough place to play especially when the students were here.”

Kruger also had to wait an extra day after a threat of ice delayed Friday’s game to Saturday. 

“You have to roll with it, be adaptable,” he said. “We had a nice practice Friday, not hard, not mentally taxing, but good energy. We practiced and prepared well all week. It was nice to see that pay off.”

The first seven games of the season have been a growth process.

“It has been a top down effort to what our kids are putting in to this season,” Kruger said.

Liberal hosts Garden City (5-2) Tuesday before a key rematch with Dodge City (6-2) Friday for Homecoming.

EARL WATT • Leader & Times

 

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