LIBERAL 53, GREAT BEND 24
LIBERAL — Western Athletic Conference leader Liberal outscored Great Bend’s girls 19-2 in the fourth quarter to roll past the Panthers 53-24 in Saturday’s showdown for first place.
Carly Dreiling scored seven points as Great Bend (10-9, 5-2) lost back-to-back games against Dodge City and Liberal to drop into second place. Liberal (14-4, 5-1 WAC) plays Garden City and Dodge City next week.
Great Bend led 7-2 in the first quarter. Liberal used scoring runs in each quarter, 11-0 in the first; 9-0 in the second period; 7-0 in the third quarter; and 19-2 in the fourth period.
Liberal’s Jada Mickens scored 14 points. The Panthers made 8 of 45 field goals, a 17 percent clip. Liberal dominated the boards 36-12.
“All night long we struggled to knock down shots,” said Great Bend coach Carrie Minton. “Liberal dominated the boards. It was a rough night.”

Great Bend 7 8 7 2 – 24
Liberal 13 9 12 19 – 53
GREAT BEND—Carly Dreiling 7, Carley Brack 6, Shailey Clark 4, Kate Warren 4, Keely Ireland 3.
LIBERAL—Mickens 14, Gonzales 9, Mullens 8, Gilmore 7, Lucero 4, Rush 3, Lucero 4, Hornya 3, Hay 2.

WESTERN ATHLETIC GIRLS
Liberal 5-1 14-4
Great Bend 5-2 10-9
Hays High 3-3 10-8
Dodge City 2-4 6-12
Garden 1-6 5-14

FRIDAY’S GAMES
Dodge City 43, Great Bend 37
Hays High 51, Garden City 42

SATURDAY’S GAME
Liberal 53, Great Bend 24