Russell Splits Non-League Twinbill with Larned

GIRLS: Russell 53, Larned 29
BOYS: Larned 63, Russell 53

Emerson Nichols scored a game-high 18 points as the Russell Lady Broncos used solid defense and sharp shooting to pull away from Larned 53-29 Monday evening at Amos Morris Gymnasium.  The Larned Boys prevailed in the nightcap 63-53.

In the Girls contest, the Lady Indians who had lost 15 straight games entering Monday led 4-2 early and were tied 7-7 until the Lady Broncos used a 13-0 run spanning the first and second periods to build what would turn into a 26-12 halftime lead.  Larned was still in the game early in the third period when the Lady Broncos (9-10, 4-6 MCL) began to pull away en route to their second straight victory with the game's final five minutes played with a running clock.

Joining Nichols in double figures were Camille Dortland with 16 points which included three 3-pointers and Rylan Reeves with 10.  Akieleh Collins led Larned (1-16, 1-6 CKL) with nine points.

In the Boys game, Larned set the tone early, getting second chance baskets complimented by dominant rebounding.  After holding a brief 5-4 lead in the opening quarter, Russell trailed 15-9 after the first eight minutes.  The Indians widened their lead in the second stanza led by Jack Stelter's eight points on their way to a 34-20 halftime advantage.  

Larned was ahead by as many as 20 points late in the third quarter before Russell began to chip away though they still trailed 53-36.  A barrage of 3-point baskets in the fourth quarter allowed the Broncos to pull to within eight points in the final seconds but Larned used clutch free throw shooting by Stelter to hang on for the win.

Jackson Cross led Russell (6-13, 2-8 MCL) with 12 points, all of them on four 3-point baskets while Charlie Krug tallied 11 points.  Stelter led all scorers with 21 points for Larned (6-11, 2-5 CKL) while Layton Crosby added 14 points to go along with 10 rebounds, good enough for a double-double  Rebounding was key to the Larned victory as the Indians outrebounded Russell 37-17 with 13 offensive rebounds leading to 12 points.

The Broncos and Lady Broncos wrap up the 2020-21 regular season on Tuesday evening with an MCL doubleheader against Ellis at Amos Morris Gymnasium.  Senior Recognition Night will also be held.  Tip-off for the Girls game will be at 6 p.m. with the Boys game to follow after the senior ceremony between games.  Both games will be broadcast on KRSL AM 990/98.1 FM and streamed online at krsl.com.