Russell Gains Split with Phillipsburg

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USD 407 Champion Logo

Girls: Phillipsburg 45, Russell 37
Boys: Russell 70, Phillipsburg 39

Jake Mooney scored 18 points on the strength of six three-pointers as the Russell Broncos Boys Basketball team recovered from an early 8-0 deficit and overpowered Phillipsburg 70-39 in Mid-Continent League action Friday evening at Amos Morris Gymnasium to help Russell earn a split after Phillipsburg won the Girls contest 45-37.

In the Girls game, the Lady Broncos started fast, taking a 6-0 lead on three-pointers by Norah Mooney and Taylor Birney before settling for a 12-10 advantage after the first eight minutes.  The Lady Panthers then took control in the second quarter, outscoring Russell 17-2 on their way to a 27-14 lead at intermission.  After Phillipsburgh scored the first two points of the second half to stretch their margin to 29-14, the Lady Broncos came storming back and cut the deficit to 32-28 by the end of the third quarter.  Russell cut Phillipsburg's lead to as little as one point during the fourth quarter before the Lady Panthers regained their footing and pulled away for the eight-point win.

Mooney lead Russell (2-5, 1-1 MCL) with 12 points while Kelvie Reeves added eight points.  Ryleigh Seems led Phillipsburg (6-2, 4-0 MCL) with a game-high 14 points.

In the Boys game, it was Phillipsburg that had the fast start, scoring the contest's first eight points as Russell got into early foul trouble.  Then, junior Jake Mooney who was slowed by an injury prior to the holiday break, knocked down four three-pointers to tally 12 first quarter points as Russell stormed to a 20-13 lead by the end of the period.  The second quarter was mostly even as Russell built a 10-point lead before the Panthers cut it in half. A couple of baskets to close out the half sent Russell into the locker room with a 33-22 advantage at halftime.

The Broncos then dominated play in the third stanza, outscoring Phillipsburg 20-10 to build their lead to 53-32 and they didn't slow down in the fourth quarter as the final four minutes of the game were played with a running clock, allowing Russell to cruise to the 31-point rout.

Mooney was one of four players in double figures for Russell (3-4, 1-1 MCL) with his game-high 18 points.  He was joined in double figures by Trey Carlson, a transfer from Phillipsburg who made his debut in a Bronco uniform by scoring 14 points.  Sam Thielen had 11 points and Ian Strobel poured 10 points.  

Leading the way for Phillipsburg (3-5, 2-2 MCL) was Tanner Horinek, who scored 12 points.

Russell will next be in action on Tuesday, January 14 when the Broncos and Lady Broncos travel to Smith Center for another league doubleheader.  The results of Tuesday's games will to count towards seeding for the Mid-Continent League Tournament which begins on January 18.  

Both games will be broadcast on KRSL 95.9 FM, online at KRSL.com and on Alexa devices.  The Girls game will tip off at 6 p.m. with the Boys game slated to begin at around 7:30 p.m.