Broncos Split at Smith Center

Girls: Smith Center 61, Russell 53
Boys: Russell 63, Smith Center 48
SMITH CENTER-Lexie Koelsch scored 19 points and Kaylee Weltmer added 15 points as the Smith Center Lady Red held off a comeback attempt by Russell on their way to a 61-53 victory over the Lady Broncos on Tuesday evening in Mid-Continent League Basketball action at Stoddard Family Court.
Norah Mooney scored the game's first basket to give Russell a 2-0 lead. As it turned out, it was the only lead of the game for the Lady Broncos as Smith Center bolted out to an 18-10 advantage after the opening period. The second quarter was dead even as the Lady Red maintained a 32-24 lead at the break. The Lady Broncos turned up the heat on defense to start the third quarter and pulled to within 36-33 before Smith Center closed the quarter on a 9-5 run to lead 45-38. Russell worked hard to keep the game close but the Lady Red completed a stellar night at the free throw line with key makes down the stretch to hang on for the eight-point win.
Despite the loss, four players were in double figures for Russell (2-6, 1-2 MCL). Mooney was the leading scorer with 14 points, Taylor Birney scored 13 points, Kelvie Reeves chipped in with 12 points and Aubrey Birney added 10 points. While Russell shot 56 percent from the free throw line, Smith Center (3-5, 2-2 MCL) shot a sizzling 81 percent while sinking 25 of 31 attempts from the charity stripe. The Lady Red also outrebounded Russell by a margin of 32-21.
The news was better for the RHS Boys who overcame another slow start as the Broncos rallied for a 63-48 win over Smith Center.
The Redmen took an 8-1 lead in the middle of the first quarter before settling for an 11-5 margin after the opening eight minutes. Russell then outscored Smith Center 19-8 in the second stanza to establish a 24-19 halftime lead. The Broncos stretched the lead to 35-21 early in the third quarter before Smith Center used a 13-3 run to pull to within 38-34, aided by a stretch where Russell missed eight consecutive free throws. In the fourth quarter, the Broncos regained their footing with key baskets from Jake Mooney, Sam Thielen and Dominick Hernandez as part of an 8-0 run to build the lead to 46-34 and Russell cruised to the 15-point win.
Ayden Wagner led Russell (4-4, 2-1 MCL) with 17 points, Mooney who was held scoreless in the first half, finished the game with 14 points and Thielen added 13 points. Daveyon Orr paced Smith Center (3-5, 2-2 MCL) with 12 points on the strength of four three-pointers, one in each quarter. Brant Wilson and Kyler Elliott added 10 points apiece. The Broncos also won the battle on the boards by outrebounding Smith Center 35-28.
The Broncos and Lady Broncos will next be in action during the annual Mid-Continent League Tournament which begins on Saturday, January 18. Brackets are expected to be released on Wednesday morning.