Weather forecasters stated that the polar vortex was over, but they forgot to tell the Manawa girls’ basketball team.
A frigid fourth quarter shooting and 13 turnovers proved to be the difference as were saddled with their eighth straight lose.
The Cardinals opened the game with back-to-back three point plays, the last one being the old fashion one by Sam Shafranski on her way to a game-high 12 points. The Cardinals built an 11-0 lead with 2:42 left in the first quarter.
Manawa’s Autumn Ferg sparked a 9-0 run including a three-pointer right before the buzzer pulling Manawa to within two points, 11-9, after one quarter of play.
Ashlee Strebe’s back-to-back baskets gave Manawa its first lead of the night at 14-13 with 3:41 to play in the second quarter. Shafranski drained her second three as the Cardinals regained the lead at 16-14.
Pacelli opened the second half with a 7-2 run to open the second half and held a 25-19 lead with 2:04 left in the third quarter. Ferg and Strebe combined for six points in the quarter’s final six points to tie the game at 25.
Sharfinski opened the final eight minutes with back-to-back baskets giving the Cardinals a 29-25 with 3:05 left to play. During the final eight minutes Manawa managed to get off only eight shots and finished the evening 10 for 42 from the floor.
Five of Manawa’s 13 fourth quarter turnovers were unforced and the team finished the game with 30 turnovers. Pacelli didn’t exactly light it up either as they managed only two field goals during the final quarter as they recorded their first win of the season, 32-25.
Ferg led the Wolves with 11 points and Strebe added seven along with 14 rebounds.
The Wolves travel to Shiocton, Friday, Jan. 17.