Loss to SW Heights Concludes Lady Broncos' Season

KISMET-Layla Kisner scored 20 points and Southwestern Heights tallied the game's first 11 points as the Lady Mustangs defeated the Russell Lady Broncos 52-36 Friday evening in the first round of the Class 3A Sub-State Basketball Tournament.

After the Lady Mustangs opened the game with an 11-0 run, Norah Mooney hit two field goals, including a three-point basket to pull Russell to within 20-7 after the opening eight minutes. Turnovers kept the Lady Broncos from making a serious dent in their deficit as Southwestern Heights played through an even second quarter and held a 29-16 advantage at halftime.

The Lady Mustangs maintained their edge and led 40-24 after three quarters and went on to the 16-point win, earning themselves a semifinal match-up on their home floor at Southwestern Heights High School on Wednesday March 4 against Goodland which won their first-round game Friday at home over Norton 40-25.

Joining Kisner in double figures for Southwestern Heights (18-6) was Katelyn Reiss with 15 points.  Mooney, the leading scorer all season for Russell (4-19) paced the Lady Broncos with 19 points as she continued her solid shooting down the stretch.

Russell outrebounded the Lady Mustangs 37-25 but turnovers proved to be the story of the contest as the two teams combined for 65 miscues, 41 of them by the Lady Broncos.

Friday's game was the last in a Russell uniform for seniors Daryss Barrera, Emma Basgall, Macy Patterson and Madi Wieger.