After losing 48-28 during their last matchup in Salina, the Bearcats made it their goal to take home the victory on their home court against Sacred Heart Feb. 21. The team fell short of the goal, however, losing to the Knights, 55-40.

During their first match-up this seasons, the Bearcats lost 48-28 in Salina.

A few setbacks kept them from coming out on top for the night.

From the tipoff Feb. 21, the game started slow for the Cats, and it was difficult to get shots to fall. The Bearcats scored 8 points by the end of the first quarter, allowing the Knights to score 16.

The last time the two teams played each other, the Knights were able to put up 18 points worth of 3-pointers, most of which were by Katherine Weiss. The Bearcats were able to hold Weiss to three 3-pointers this game, allowing only 12 points off 3-pointers total.

However, it was after the Knights ran their offense through and missed the first shot that the Bearcats struggled. They gave up 12 offensive rebounds to the Knights, allowing for easy 2-pointers that eventually stretched the Knights’ lead, and by the end of the first half, the Knights were up 31-22.

This season, the Bearcats have frequently been effective in the third quarter, making runs that either close gaps when they’re down or increase the lead when they’re up. However, they were unable to bounce back in the start of the second half against Sacred Heart, and by the end of the third quarter, the Knights led 45-33.

By the fourth quarter, both teams had enough fouls to send the other into bonus; any additional foul resulted in shooting free throws. This could have potentially been a game-changer for the Bearcats, but they were only able to shoot and make two free throws in the fourth quarter, both by freshman Lainey Peschka.

However, since the Cats were down and needed to stop the clock, they were forced to foul, which sent the Knights to the free throw line eight times in the quarter, where Weiss made six.

Peschka was the lead scorer with 19 points. Junior Kylan Turnipseed had 6 and senior Greta Klein had 5.

The Bearcats were unable to come out with a win in their last regular season and league game, but ended in third place in the NCAA league and as the fifth seed of their sub-state bracket.

The Cats lost Monday night against Norton, 47-36. The team ended its season with an overall record of 11-10.

LORI FARMER/Ellsworth County I-R