Broken Bow, Neb. – The Holdrege girls basketball team began their Southwest Conference tournament at the Bow Dome with hopes of an upset. The Indians had other plans and used a fast start in the third quarter to secure a 51-39 win over the Dusters.
The first half was a competitive affair with both teams trading leads and neither side able to take control. Broken Bow outscored Holdrege 12-10 in each of the first two quarters to take a 24-20 lead at halftime. The Dusters used some sharpshooting from junior Keeley Vaughn to keep pace with Bow. Vaughn had eight points in the first half. Senior Avery Hurlbert was also able to muscle her way through the defense and score eight first-half points.
Holdrege was able to fix many issues that hurt them in their previous meeting with Broken Bow. Fewer turnovers and a much tougher defense kept the Dusters in the mix, despite the Indians opening up with five-straight three-pointers. Bow’s Charlee Myers and Makinley Tobey each hit two shots from behind the arc to lead the offensive charge.
The third quarter began with a barrage of buckets from Broken Bow. Tobey scored early and often to help the Indians pull away. Meanwhile, Broken Bow took advantage of their opportunities at the free throw line to hold off any Holdrege comeback attempt. As a team, the Indians were 10-12 from the line with senior Halle McCaslin making six of her seven attempts.
Broken Bow (13-2) was led by Makinley Tobey’s 17 points with McCaslin scoring 13. With the win, the Indians advance to the quarterfinals where they’ll play Gothenburg. That game is scheduled for 8 pm on Friday, January 26, in North Platte.
Holdrege (8-8) will play Ogallala on Thursday, January 25, in Gothenburg. KUVR’s coverage will begin at 6:45 and tipoff is set for 7.
