LIBERAL — It was a matter of survival for the Great Bend High School girls’ basketball team, who captured a huge road victory on Saturday night, edging Liberal 45-43.
The win improves the Lady Panthers’ record to 7-11 overall and 4-3 in the Western Athletic Conference.
With the final WAC game set for Friday night at Hays, preceded by a non-conference game at Hoisington on Tuesday.
While winning the WAC crown appears out of reach, GBHS still has a shot a second place — providing Hays loses twice to Dodge City this coming week as they also have a makeup game scheduled, and GBHS beats Hays.
“We have a lot of motivation to play Hoisington and Hays next week,” GBHS head coach Jason Tatkenhorst said.
Cassidy Tutak scored 13 points, Lexie Brack added 11 and Kelsey Crosby scored all eight of her points in the second half, where GBHS went on a 16-0 run in the third quarter before Liberal came storming back.
“We were kind of disappointed with our play in the first half,” Tatkenhorst said of the 15-all deadlock at halftime.  “We went on 16-0 run during the third quarter and really played well.
“The girls have been through a lot the last couple games. They decided to get after it, and we also made some big free throws late in the game.”