Northern Tier Sports ReportCANTON — NEB held off a furious Canton rally to pull out a 37-33 win over the Warriors in a marquee NTL Small School match-up Wednesday.
“It was nice to come out with a win in Canton,” said NEB coach Ben Beebe. “We played well for most of the game. Turnovers keep letting teams back in the game. We work hard to get the ball, then give it back to them. We’ll fix that, and we will be better.”
The Panthers led 11-10 after one, then stretched that to a 33-21 lead going into the fourth.
In the final frame, though, Canton had a game high 12 points, but couldn’t quite get over the hump.
Leah Beebe had 14 points, six boards, and two steals to lead NEB, as Mallorie Maynard notched 12 points, four boards, and four blocks.
Aurelia Kolesar had five points, six boards, and three steals, as Kara Dughi notched four points, and four boards. Katrina Russell chipped in with two points, and five rebounds.
Cailyn Van Noy had 22 points, five boards, and three steals to lead the Warriors, with Alexis McRoberts adding six points, eight boards, and two steals.
Stella Rockwell had three points, and three steals, as Cheyenne Fitch added two points. Daveian Crowley finished with four boards.
Beebe hit two 3-balls en route to eight first quarter points to help NEB get the 1-point lead, while Van Noy, and Rockwell hit 3-pointers for Canton.
The Panthers would hold Canton to just four second quarter points as they took a 22-14 lead at the half. Kolesar netted all five of her points in the frame.
In the third Beebe hit two 3-balls as NEB out scored Canton 11-7, with Van Noy netting five for Canton.
During Canton’s big fourth quarter rally Van Noy had 10 of her team’s 12 points.
Canton (7-3) is at NP-Liberty on Friday, while NEB (5-2) puts their four game win streak on the line as they host Sayre.
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PHOTOS BY TINA MAYNARD
