By JIM MISUNAS
Great Bend's Jenna Mauler enjoyed a career scoring night. Camryn Dunekack executed all phases of the game flawlessly. Alyssa Herter won her defensive challenge.
The Panthers’ terrific trio helped Great Bend roll past Garden City 46-34 for Friday’s opening Western Athletic Conference basketball victory.
Jenna Mauler, averaging 2 points, surprised the Buffaloes with a trio of 3-pointers for a career high 13 points. She was congratulated by teammates after her second long-range shot gave the Panthers a 16-7 first-quarter lead.
“I was feeling it and felt more confident tonight once I hit that first one,” Mauler said. “It was awesome to see our bench get so excited.”
The Buffaloes had no answers for Great Bend’s Camryn Dunekack, who scored nine points with eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. Dunekack dominated the first half with seven points, six rebounds and three assists.
“Camryn has really stepped up to be a team leader,” said Great Bend coach Carrie Minton.
The Panthers (2-4, 1-0 WAC) took charge with a 12-2 third quarter for a 38-21 lead. The Buffaloes converted one score in 17 third-quarter possessions. Herter limited Josie Calzonetti (16.5 ppg) to three points and one of eight shooting through three quarters.
Minton credited Herter and the Panthers’ pressure defense for the victory.
“Alyssa Herter drew a tough defensive assignment, and did a tremendous job because their offense runs through her,” Minton said. “It was straight up man defense with no help.”
The Panthers controlled the game’s tempo from the start with fullcourt pressure that helped force 27 Garden City turnovers.
We came out and played aggressive defense that helped lead to some easy baskets,” Minton said. “We played with more confidence and commitment on defense.”
The Buffaloes trailed 44-25 by the time Calzonetti got rolling with an 11-point fourth quarter that made the final margin more respectable. Calzonetti scored 14 points and Guymon added 12 points. The other Buffaloes made four of 18 field goals.
The Panthers dictated the tempo with fullcourt pressure to force 13 first-half turnovers. The Panthers led 16-7 after one quarter behind a 9-0 scoring run.
Garden City’s hustling Beth Guymon kept the Buffaloes within 27-19 at halftime with a 10-point first half and a pair of 3-pointers. Leading scorer Josie Calzonetti missed nine minutes of the first half with two fouls.
The Buffaloes (3-4, 0-1 WAC) shot seven of 21 the first half and four of 16 after halftime. The Buffaloes got sped up against Great Bend’s pressure defense.
PANTHERS 46, BUFFALOES 34
GC 7 12 2 13 — 34
GB 16 11 12 7 — 46
GARDEN CITY (3-4, 0-1)—Josie Calzonetti 3-13 8-10 14, Guymon 4-6 2-3 12, Peitz 0-2 0-0 0, Julie Calzonetti 0-3 0-0 0, Ta-bor 0-1 0-0 0, Gerber 0-2 0-0 0, Turner 1-4 0-0 2, Rodriguez 1-2 0-0 2, Quintanar 2-3 0-0 4, Salazar 0-1 0-0 0, Totals 11-37 10-13 34.
GREAT BEND (2-4, 1-0)—Mauler 4-8 2-3 13, Dunekack 4-8 1-3 9, Clark 4-6 0-0 8, Herter 3-5 0-0 8, Sydney Unruh 1-3 0-0 2, Schroeder 0-1 0-0 0, Kaylee Unruh, Mills 1-3 0-0 2, Brack 1-3 0-0 2, Urban, Totals 18-39 5-8 46.
3-point goals—GC 2-7 (Guymon 2-4, Josie Calzonetti 0-2, Salazar 0-1), GB 5-11 (Mauler 3-6, Herter 2-2, Brack 0-2, Dunekack 0-1). TO—GC 27, GB 23. Rebounds—GC 24 (Turner 8), GB 22 (Dunekack 8).
