BY BUDDY TABLER

Special to the Tribune

PRATT – Pratt outscored Larned’s girls 18-4 in the fourth quarter for a 49-34 basketball victory in a non-league game.

You never would have guessed the outcome based on the results of the first three quarters.

The Greenbacks led 9-7 after one quarter, 23-21 at halftime and 31-30 after three quarters in a close, hard-fought game.

A lack of depth hurt the Indians as starters Kendra Grandy and Lynzi Myrick fouled out in the fourth quarter, followed by an injury to Kaylee Mead. 

Pratt coach Dustin Hildebrand implemented a full-court press and the Greenbacks quickly had a 10-point lead.

“We simply do not have any experienced depth and it really hurt us tonight,” said Larned coach Ashley Crosby. “Our five starters can really play. When they are in the game, we’ve got a shot. But our bench players have never been in varsity competition. The game is too fast for them. We’ve got to work on developing that experience.”

Most of Pratt’s final 18-point quarter were converted from Larned turnovers. The Indians had 24 turnovers, nine in the final quarter.

Point guard Danielle Staats controlled the tempo and scored 22 points. Lexi Walker added 11 points. Pratt converted 15 of 19 free throws while Larned made only 5 of 11.

Larned’s Julie Tapia scored 10 points, followed by freshman Jayme Hagerman’s seven and Kendra Grandy and Lynzi Myrick with six apiece. 

Larned (0-1) plays Macksville Monday at the Larned Gene Keady Basketball Classic.