The Lady Bearcats proved to be too much for the Russell Broncos Tuesday night, Jan. 7, defeating the Broncos, 36-28, in the first game of 2020.

Russell quickly got the ball first and scored, but Maggie Windholz immediately took the ball to match the Lady Broncos’ basket. At the first quarter the teams were neck and neck, with Russell edging the ‘Cats by one point for a 8-7 score.

The second quarter was a duel of the baskets with each team matching the other’s two-pointers. Both teams were locked in battle, but neither could pull ahead and finished the half tied 16-16.

In the second half the Lady Bearcats went to work to slowly pull away from the Lady Broncos. Ellsworth jelled as a team and outplayed Russell finishing the game with 36 points to Russell’s 28.

The ‘Cats were led in scoring by senior Lakyn Tenbrink, who finished with 12 points. Jaide Talbott contributed 8 points.

Adding to the score were Maggie Windholz with 5 points, Brenna Pruitt with 4 points, Nicole Haase with 2 points, Makenzie Stroede with 2 points, Natalie Rolfs with 2 points, and Savannah Hellebust with 1 point.

Maggie Windholz dropped Ellsworth’s sole 3-pointer.

The weather this past week played havoc with the schedules of basketball teams across Ellsworth County.

The next game for the Bearcats will be at home Friday against Sacred Heart of Salina.