BY BUDDY TABLER

Special to the Tribune

HAVEN — The 40-28 final score might indicate an defensive battle, but it was more about poor shooting as Haven downed Larned’s girls.

Haven (13-7, 54 CKL) was  led by Siena DeFrain who posted 19 points. Avery Brawner added seven, Sydney Holzrichter six and Karlee Cooprider five.

Larned (8-12, 3-6 CKL) was paced by Akielah Collins scored 14 points. Brooke Simmons and Taeten Reynolds scored five each. McKenzie Reinert and Kaylee Hagerman added two each.

Larned fell behind 14-7 at the end of the first-quarter and tried to play catch up. Haven’s lead varied from seven to 14 points. 

Trailing 19-9 at halftime, Larned made 4 of 21 field goal attempts (19%.) Haven converted 7 of 21 (33%), but got to the free throw line.

“We played well defensively and actually won the turnover battle but, boy, we couldn’t make a basket," said Larned coach Jerrod Smith. "Sometimes when you don’t shoot well, it can rob a team’s energy.  But our girls continued to play hard. We couldn’t make shots.” 

Larned improved somewhat in the second half in shooting but still struggled, especially from beyond the three-point line. The Lady Indians converted 2 of 15 three-point shots.

Haven made 19 of 31 free throws compared to 2 of 7 for Larned. Larned made 12 field goals to 10 by Haven.

Larned 7 2 10 9 — 28

Haven 14 5 12 9 — 40

3A HOISINGTON—2-27 Haven 13-7 vs. Lyons 1-18; 2-27 Larned 8-12 vs. Russell 7-13; 2-27 Hoisington 13-7  vs. Kingman 4-16; 2-27 Ellsworth 9-10 vs. Nickerson 5-15