BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
HAYS – Great Bend Panther Jenna Mauler counted one, two, three. Mauler converted three consecutive 3-pointers to ignite a hard-fought 42-38 non-league basketball victory Tuesday over Hays-Thomas More Prep.
The Panthers struggled to an 8-8 halftime tie on 22 percent shooting. But Mauler triggered a 34-point second half with a trio of 3-pointers that turned a 13-8 deficit into a 21-16 lead. Mauler scored 14 points, 12 after halftime. Candice Smith scored 10 points and Sydney Unruh added eight fourth-quarter points in a 19-point quarter.
"Jenna hit four 3-pointers to get things rolling," said Great Bend coach Carrie Minton. "The girls did a tremendous job that second half. We started to knock down some open looks."
The Panthers built a 34-26 lead behind Unruh's steal and layup. The Monarchs delivered four 3-pointers as Sophia Baltahzor, Kyeligh Allen, Jayci Von Lintel and Megan Hamel converted 3-pointers for a 39-38 margin. Sydney Unruh made six fourth-quarter free throws and Taryn Warren converted a pair of free throws to hold off the Monarchs. Warren's free throws led to a 39-35 lead. Unruh's free throws made it 41-38. Allen's final tying 3-pointer missed the mark.
"From top-to-bottom, we knocked down free throws at the end,'" Minton said. "At the end, we didn't find their shoots quick enough."
Great Bend (5-13) needed a victory to escape the bottom two seeds for 5A postseason play. The Panthers finish with Western Athletic Conference powers Dodge City Friday and unbeaten Liberal Saturday.
TMP (6-12) was paced by Emilee Lane with 10 points and Megan Hamel with nine points.
Great Bend 6 2 15 19 – 42
Hays-TMP 8 0 10 20 – 38
GREAT BEND (5-13)–Mauler 5 0-0 14, Smith 3 4-4 10, Sydney Unruh 1 6-8 8, Herter 0 2-4 2, Latham 2 0-0 4, Warren 1 2-2 4, Totals 12-21 14-18 42.
TMP (6-12)–Lane 2 6-6 10, Hamel 3 0-0 9, Von Lintel 3 0-0 7, Baltahzor 1 2-2 5, Allen 3 0-0 7, Totals 12 8-8 38
3-pointers–GB 4 (Mauler 3, Latham 1); TMP 6 (Hamel 3, Allen 1, Baltahzor 1, Von Lintel 1)
