Panther girls tumble to Trojans, 44-41

BELOIT — Unable to capitalize on a couple of opportunities in the closing seconds, the Concordia High School girls’ basketball team suffered a 44-41 defeat to the Beloit Trojans in the season opener Friday night.
Trailing by as many as seven points in the fourth quarter of a back-and-forth game, the Panthers battled back to within a point, 42-41, when Rylie Jessup scored with 1:08 remaining in the game.
Two free throws by Cassandra Thompson gave Beloit a 44-41 cushion with 41 seconds on the clock.
A three-point attempt by Charlize Cash to tie the game was off the mark, and Beloit got possession on a jump ball.
Concordia forced a turnover, but was unable to get off a shot before time expired.
“I was very pleased with how our girls played. We kept fighting, didn’t give up at all. And we gave ourselves a chance there late in the game,” Concordia coach Trey Kuhlman said.
Cash, who led all scorers with 13 points, connected on a pair of threes as the Panthers got out to a 10-2 lead in the game.
Beloit then scored eight straight points to pull even at 10-10.
A three-point play by Taylor McDaniel put Concordia up 13-10 heading into the second quarter.
McDaniel scored 11 points in the game.
A jumper by Jessup, who finished with 10 points, started a 7-0 spurt by the Panthers to open the second period that gave them a 20-10 advantage.
“Just slowing the game down. Getting into our offense and taking good shots. Being able to execute definitely helped us. And I think shooting with confidence,” Kuhlman said of the runs the Panthers went on during the game.
The Panthers then went the final 4:19 of the first half without scoring.
Beloit tossed in 12 unanswered points during that stretch to grab a 22-20 lead.
The two teams traded baskets to start the second half and Jessup hit a three to give Concordia the lead back at 25-24.
The Panthers were up 27-26 when McDaniel scored inside to make it 29-26 with 3:37 to play in the third period.
Beloit scored the final eight points of the third quarter and the first two of the fourth to take a 36-29 lead.
Trailing 38-31, the Panthers got a three by Cash and a bucket by McDaniel to close the gap to two points, 38-36.
Four straight points by Addison Budke upped the Trojans’ lead to 42-36 with 1:51 on the clock.
A three by Jessup cut the deficit in half and Concordia came up with a steal.
Jessup scored again, and the Panthers trailed just 42-41.
Two free throws by Thompson gave Beloit a 44-41 cushion.
Concordia had a couple of chances in the final seconds, but were unable to cash in.
“I think that was a great learning experience for our girls. Obviously you want to be on that winning end, but there are a lot of positive takeaways from a game like that,” Kuhlman said.
Budke led a balanced Beloit attack with 10 points.
Concordia will play the first of four straight home games when it hosts Riley County on Tuesday night.

CONCORDIA (41)
Bethune 0-0-3 0, Jessup 4-0-2 10, Carlgren 3-0-2 6, Cash 5-0-2 13, McDaniel 5-1-3-11, Roush 0-1-3 1. Totals: 17-2-15 41.
BELOIT (44)
Remus 1-3-0 5, File 0-0-1 0, Boudreaux 3-3-1 9, Wright 0-0-1 0, Budke 5-0-2 10, Knight 3-3-3 9, Thompson 2-5-1 9. Totals: 14-14-9 44.