Cowgirls lose finale, 29-23

Cowgirls lose finale, 29-23 Brian Smith Tue, 02/13/2024 - 8:24 pm Two three-pointers in the final 45 seconds enabled Garner to break a 23-all tie late and post a 29-23 win Tuesday, Feb. 6 over Bryson. The Cowgirls took a 21-15 lead into the final quarter. The Lady ‘Horns, who had two three-pointers in the first three frames, gave a sign of things to come by converting the first of a trio of three-pointers in the fourth barely a minute in. Bryson, which was just 1-8 shooting in the final quarter, picked up its last points courtesy of a Kaylie Sherrin putback for a 23-18 lead. The Lady ‘Horns scored the last 11 points, using solid offensive rebounding to get multiple chances at the net. For the game, Garner held a 29-15 rebounding edge. Both offenses started slowly, Garner getting out to a 4-0 lead before Jaydah McComack’s three-pointer got the Cowgirls on the board. A McComack free throw and an Abby Zielinski bucket off an offensive rebound gave Bryson a 6-4 lead. Taking advantage of the visitors missing its last five shots of the frame, Bryson took a 6-4 lead into the second quarter. Garner took the lead back at 8-6 mid quarter before Sherrin caught a hot hand late, the junior’s free throw ending a nearly nine minute scoring drought. She added a basket in the final minute to give the Cowgirls a 9-8 lead at the half. Each team had three baskets in the first half (Bryson 3-14 shooting, Garner 3-21). The Cowgirls came out firing to start the second half, Eleanor Neudorf’s three-pointer in the first 10 seconds giving Bryson its largest lead at 12-8. McComack later added a bucket and three-pointer to extend the lead to nine as part of an 8-0 run over the first 2:30 of the quarter. Sher r in helped moved the lead into double figures with a pair of buckets, but Garner finished strong and cut the deficit to six to start the fourth quarter. McComack and Sherrin each had nine points for the Cowgirls.