One quarter was the difference Tuesday in Sturgis’ loss at Battle Creek Central.
(Photo by Tracie Pueschel)
BATTLE CREEK – One rough quarter was too much to overcome for Sturgs’ girls basketball team Tuesday night.
After holding a 15-13 lead on Battle Creek Central Tuesday night, the Trojans managed just four points in the second quarter. Sturgis would rally in the third quarter, but the Trojans fell in the SMAC East game, 49-38.
‘’We just couldn’t finish our shots around the basket,’’ Sturgis coach Amie Burger said. ‘’We had a lot of good looks, but couldn’t seem to get them to fall.’’
Rachel Anderson led Sturgis (5-11 overall, 3-8 SMAC East) with a double-double of 22 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks and four steals. Nikki Nelson added six points and 11 rebounds. Morgan Pueschel dished out five assists and Marissa Parker made four steals.
After having a first-quarter lead, Sturgis fell behind at the start of the second quarter, but tied it up at 17 on a Nelson basket. The Bearcats then scored the next 10 points before a basket by Anderson with 1:02 remaining in the half ended the run. The Trojans trailed, 29-19 at the half.
After cutting the lead to five points, 35-30, after three quarters, Sturgis gave up the first five points of the fourth quarter and couldn’t catch Central.
Ka-Leah Ryan led the Bearcats with 20 points and Kaylee Ryan added 14 points.