Wednesday, January 22, 2025
The Concordia Panthers girls’ basketball team opened up its season to rival Beloit Trojans, where the Panthers would be handed a bitter defeat, falling 60-46.
The first quarter would be all Concordia, where a mixture of effective offense and strong defense would see the Panthers finish the quarter with a 10-point lead over Beloit, 18-8.
The Trojans were able to develop more offense, thanks to their work on the offensive glass and physicality in the paint. Beloit would go on an eight to two run to open the second quarter. It wouldn’t be until a three-point shot by Rylie Jessup with 3:30 left in the quarter did the Panthers break the Trojans’ run. A three-point shot by Celsie Stein gave the Panthers a 10-point lead, 29-19, but an and-one basket by Beloit’s Addison Budke and a made free throw would send both teams into halftime, with the Panthers holding onto 29-22 lead.
After back-to-back three’s by Jessup and Charlize Cash to start the quarter, the Trojans would go on a 12 to one run, getting the Panther lead down to three. Another Cash three would break the Trojan run. Beloit would continue the hot offense, going into the fourth quarter with a two-point lead, 41-39.
The fourth quarter would be all Beloit, breaking the game open and outscoring the Panthers 19-7. Continuing to feed the post and harassing the Panthers on offense was enough to secure the win, 60-46.
The Panthers only shot four free throws in the entire game.
Cash led the way with 18 points, five rebounds, five assists, and six steals.
Jessup had 12 points, including three threes, and two steals.
The Panthers will travel to Lindsborg on Thursday, December 12 to take on the Vikings of Smoky Valley in a non-conference match. Tipoff is 6 p.m.
