In the battle of conference champions Monday night, South Iowa Cedar League champion North Mahaska defeated South Central Conference champion Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 60-52 in nonconference action. It was one of the final tune-up games for both teams as tourney play begins Feb. 14.
Neither team could gain much of an advantage in the first half. EBF held a lead of five then North Mahaska held a three point edge before EBF came back to lead 28-25 at halftime. No. 8 North
Mahaska changed the landscape outscoring the Rockets 25-7 in the third period for a 50-35 lead. EBF (15-5) outscored NM 17-10 in the final period but could not overcome the deficit.
“The girls really stuck with it and the third quarter was big,” said NM coach L.E. Moore. “We tried some things that worked for us.”
EBF coach Tony Fenton also said the third period was the key.
“We held them to 25 points in the first half, then give up 25 in the third quarter, you can’t do that against a good team like that.”
North Mahaska (19-1), who only played six players, had three of them in double figures scoring and another in double figures rebounding. Breckyn Schilling hit for 16 points, Layla Hargis had 14 and
Breanna Fogle added 10. Regan Grewe chipped in six with 11 rebounds, eight steals and three assists. Addie Schilling had eight points and Kaitlyn VanDonselaar added six.
Molly Shafer of EBF led all scorers with 25 and Aliya Wagamon scored 10.