LANCASTER – Free throws played a major roll in the Lancaster varsity girls basketball team’s first conference win of the season last Friday night, where they defeated visiting River Valley, 62-44, and improved to 1-5 in the Southwest Wisconsin Conference play.
Coach Rob Wagner’s squad consistently came up big at the free throw line, where they knocked down 17-of-26 (65%) in the 18-point victory, as the Blackhawks made just 4-of-21 (19%) on the night.
“We finally played a full game, and the biggest thing was that we hit our free throws, which kind of helped keep a little bit of a buffer there for us throughout the game,” said coach Wagner of Friday night’s win. “Had we shot in the 40-percent range like we have been, it would have come down to the end again.”
“We also shot the ball pretty well from the outside, and I liked how our girls attacked the rim,” Wagner added. “We just have to cut back on some turnovers and do a little bit better job of blocking out.”
From the field, Lancaster made 19-of-42 (45%) shot attempts, and were 7-of-17 (41%) from beyond the 3-point arc. They scored 12 points in the paint, 11 in transition, and 24 off 21 River Valley turnovers.
Leading Lancaster with 15 points to go along with six rebounds and four assists was junior Devin Wagner, while three different players all finished with 13 points each.
Senior Morelia Galvan had 13 points, and six rebounds, while junior Lydia Murphy added 13 points to go along with five boards and a team-high four steals. Also scoring 13 points was freshman Kiley Kelly, who also had three boards and one assist in the victory.
River Valley, who was 18-of-52 (35%) from the field, including 4-of-14 (29%) from 3-point range, was led by Jayln Eastlick, who scored 18 points, followed by Rile Feiner, who added 13.
This past Monday night the Flying Arrows hosted the Comets of Cassville, and sent them home with a 55-19 non-conference loss.
Coach Wagner’s team held a halftime lead of 31-12 before outscoring the Comets, 24-7 in the second half.
Leading Lancaster with 16 points was Murphy, while Galvan chipped in 12 and Wagner seven.
Pulling down a team-high 10 rebounds was Morgan Debuhr, while Wagner had five assists and Murphy five steals.
As a team, Lancaster made 24-of-63 (38%) shot attempts, including 5-of-21 (24%) from long range. They were 2-of-3 (67%) from the free throw line and committed 15 turnovers.
This Friday night the Flying Arrows will take on the Hillmen of Platteville (5-1, 12-2), then will travel to league-leading Dodgeville (6-0, 14-2) next Friday night.
Lancaster 62, River Valley 44
(from Friday, Jan. 19)
River Valley 28 16 - 44
Lancaster 37 25 - 62
River Valley - Jayln Eastlick 18, Tienna Gruber 3, Bailey Brown 2, Ali Hoffman 4, Emily Briehl 4, Riley Feiner 13. Totals - 18 4-21 44.
Lancaster - Morelia Galvan 13, Lydia Murphy 13, Morgan DeBuhr 2, Kiley Kelly 13, Brooklyn Connelly 6, Devin Wagner 15. Totals - 19 17-26 62.
3-point goals - RV: Eastlick 4; L: Galvan 3, Kelly 2, Wagner 2. Team fouls - RV 18, L 22. Fouled out - Galvan (L).
Lancaster 55, Cassville 19
(from Monday, Jan. 22)
Cassville 12 7 - 19
Lancaster 31 24 - 55
Cassville - Anna Kartman 9, Madelyn Nix 4, Paige Johll 6. Totals - 7 3-8 19.
Lancaster - Morelia Galvan 12, Jenna Raisbeck 6, Lydia Murphy 16, Morgan DeBuhr 8, Kiley Kelly 4, Brooklyn Connelly 2, Devin Wagner 7. Totals - 24 2-3 55.
3-point goals - C: Johll 2; L: Galvan 4, Wagner 1. Team fouls - C 6, L 13. Fouled out - None.
