The Manawa girls’ basketball team dropped two conference games last week, as they had no answer for Bonduel as they fell 76-22. They followed that up with a 44-34 loss to the Pacelli Cardinals on Parents Night.
Pacelli 44, Manawa 34
For the past three years the Lady Cardinals have been the doormat in the CWC-8 but returned three starters from last year’s squad. The experience paid off during the final eight minutes as they survived a late Manawa rally to prevail with the victory.
Pacelli never trailed during the game. Paige Schernecker’s basket tied the game at 2 with 6 minutes remaining in the opening quarter. Senior Marissa Rice drained two three-pointers to help give the Cardinals a 14-10 lead after one quarter of play.
The Lady Cardinals opened the second quarter with a 6-0 run to take control of the game as Manawa coach Patrick Collins was forced to call a time out with 6:09 left in the first half. The Cardinals’ pressure forced Manawa into 11 turnovers on their way to a 26-15 halftime lead.
Both teams combing for 17 third quarter turnovers as the offense for both teams struggled.
By cutting down on the turnovers the Lady Wolves slowly worked their way back into the game as they were within six points at 40-34 with 1:56 left to play. Andrea Davis and Rice nailed two free throws apiece to seal the game for the Lady Cardinals.
Schernecker led the Lady Wolves with 14 points. Anna Lensmire led the Cardinals with 14 and Rice added 12.
Bonduel 76, Manawa 22
Turnovers were the downfall of the Lady Wolves as Bonduel’s full court pressure and half court trap led to 34 turnovers.
The Lady Bears picked as one of the contenders in the CWC-8 returned four of their starters from last years team that reached the regional finals. First team all conference player Misty Dowden is one of those returning starters. Dowden a, 5″10′ sophomore, had her way with Manawa as she finished with 21 points.
Senior Ansley Block’s basket gave the Lady Wolves their only lead of the night at 2-0. From there it rapidly went downhill with six straight possessions turning the ball over. Bonduel converted those turnovers into points as they finished the quarter with an 18-0 run that included three three-pointers.
That run continued into the second quarter as the deficit reach 29-2 before Schernecker’s basket with 2:33 left in the first half finally ended the run. Aided by back-to-back three-point plays, the Bears held a 39-5 halftime lead.
The Lady Bears’ largest lead of the night reached 56 points late in the fourth quarter.
Schernecker led the Lady Wolves with eight points.
The Lady Wolves dropped to 0-3 in conference play and 1-4 for the season. They travel to Bowler on Thursday, Dec. 20.