BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbribune.com

Great Bend’s Sadie Spray confirms the theory that big-time players deliver big-time plays.

Spray preserved a tie with a game-saving block and delivered the game-winning field goal for a thrilling 35-33 Western Athletic Conference basketball victory over Liberal Tuesday.

Emilee Hall freed Spray with a pick that slowed defender Shamari Lewis and Spray split defenders Hailey Contreras and Kannilah Delgado for a 5-foot bank shot that rolled in.

“When it hit the front of the rim, I got nervous. When I saw it go up, I hoped it would go in my favor,” Spray said. “We dug deep. It feels good to know your hard work paid off. It felt good that we had pushed for four quarters. It took all of us playing in that moment.”

Great Bend coach Cindy Beck relied on Spray to deliver the game-winning basket.

“I told the girls that we’d finish that game right there,” she said. “Sadie took it strong to the hole and got the roll.”

Great Bend committed six fourth-quarter turnovers after Paige Thexton’s 3-pointer gave the Panthers a 29-23 lead. Liberal outscored the Panthers 10-4 for a 33-33 tie.

Liberal’s Kylie Rhine hit a 3-pointer Elle Hatcher scored two baskets, the second off a free throw miss for a 33-33 tie. Hall saved the Panthers with a basket and two free throws.

Steals by Lewis and Rhine gave the Redskins two chances to lead at 33-33. Delgado’s sped-up layup misfired and Spray preserved a tie by blocking Lewis’ reverse layup.

Spray scored 15 hard-earned points against stifling defense by the athletic Lewis. Hall played with confidence and chipped in 12 clutch points.

Liberal (12-6, 3-3 WAC) won the first meeting 52-44 in overtime when the Redskins converted 22 free throws, nine in overtime.

This time, a beautifully officiated game had the earmarks of postseason play with obvious calls made as the players were allowed to play physical defense.  

“Defensively, we handled them better,” Spray said. “We didn’t box out and we gave them too many second-chance shots. We played better.”

The Panthers converted 13 of 49 field goals (26%) and the Redskins knocked down 14 of 51 field goals (27%) with 2 of 15 from long range.

Paige Thexton defended Liberal standout Lewis, who scored seven points after torching the Panthers for 21 points in the first meeting. Makenzie Premer slowed down Liberal point guard Contreras who managed six points off 3 of 10 shooting. Elle Hatcher led Liberal with eight points.

The Panthers snapped a 15-game losing streak to Liberal that stretches back to Feb. 3, 2017 when the Great Bend won 40-38.

“I’m proud of everyone who dug deep and fought for the win. They were locked in and competing. We knew it would be a physical game for four quarters. Every possession mattered.”

The Panthers turned the trick with effective man defense with timely defensive help provided when needed.

“We doubled them and helped when we needed. We came out on top,” Beck said. “Defense is what we’re good at.”

Great Bend (13-5, 4-2 WAC) is locked into the No. 5 West seeding when two games left.

Liberal 8 7 8 20 -- 33

Great Bend 7 11 8 9 – 35

LIBERAL (12-6, 3-3)—Rhine 2-8 1-2 7, Lewis 3-11 1-1 7, Contreras 3-10 0-0 6,, McCarter 1-3 0-0 3, Delgado 1-10 0-2 2, Torres 0-1 0-0 0, Totals 14-51 2-5 33.

GREAT BEND (13-5, 4-2)—Spray 5-15 5-6 15, Hall 5-14 2-2 12, Thexton 2-5 0-2 5, Premer 1-6 0-0 2, McCauley 0-4 1-2 1, Ringo 0-3 0-2 0, Reimer 0-1 0-0 0, Totals 13-49 8-14 35.

3-pointers—L 2-15 (McCarter 1-3, Rhine 1-6, Lewis 0-2, Contreras 0-4); GB 1-6 (Thexton 1-1, Spray 0-1, Premer 0-1, McCauley 0-3).