Lady Bulldogs Hold Off Lady Cardinals for Win

The North Clay Lady Cardinals made it interesting at the end, but the St. Anthony Lady Bulldogs prevailed in Monday night girls' basketball action, winning 49-43. The contest was heard on KJ Country 102.3 and www.kjcountry.com. The game was videotaped, and copies will be available later this week.

On Senior Night, the Lady Bulldogs led throughout the contest, but it was not without some tense moments.

St. Anthony at one point pushed the lead up to 15 points, but North Clay fought back to get within three points in the final period before St. Anthony regrouped to win by six.

St. Anthony led 14-10 after one quarter and 27-16 at halftime, but the Cardinals were back within 36-29 at the end of the third quarter.

St. Anthony made 17 of 46 shots, 37% including 1 of 6 threes. The Bulldogs made 12 of 18 free throws, grabbed 30 rebounds, but turned the ball over 19 times.

North Clay made 30% of its shots, 14 of 47 including 3 of 8 threes. The Cardinals made 12 of 17 foul shots, pulled down 27 rebounds and committed 15 turnovers.

For the Lady Bulldogs, Shea Kinkelaar behind a big first half led the scoring with 16 points, 13 before intermission. Olivia Clausius posted a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Clare McHugh had a good second half offensively and finished with 11 points. Meg Richards scored eight points and pulled down nine rebounds. Maryann Saba scored the other two points.

For North Clay, Darcy Fender led the way with 14 points on five of six shooting. Madison Lovett scored 13 points. Also for North Clay: Maddie Craig 9, Audrey Fleener 3, and Brilie Kessler and Taylor Jones 2 apiece.

St. Anthony improved to 11-16 on the season, while North Clay slipped to 15-9.

Playing their last home for the Lady Bulldogs were Olivia Clausius, Keri McGuire and Maryann Saba. St. Anthony begins post-season play in the Vandalia 2A Regional next Monday night at 7:00 against Shelbyville. The winner of that contest will play Teutopolis next Tuesday night at 6pm.

North Clay begins post-season play next Wednesday night at the Altamont 1A Regional at 7:30pm against the winner of Monday night's Stew-Stras/Windsor vs. South Central game.

North Clay won the JV game 43-27. Madison Lovett led the JV Lady Cardinals with 18 points, while Kaitie Rogers led the JV Lady Bulldogs with nine points.

At St. Anthony

NORTH CLAY (43)

Kessler 1-0 -- 2, Fender 5-4 -- 14, Fleener 1-0 -- 3,  Coble 0-0 -- 0, Jones 0-2 -- 2, Mad. Craig 3-3 -- 9, Lovett 4-3 -- 13, Lewis 0-0 -- 0. TOTALS 14 FG, 12 FT.

ST. ANTHONY (49)

Kinkelaar 6-3 -- 16, Jones 0-0 -- 0, McHugh 4-3 -- 11, Gibson 0-0 -- 0, Saba 1-0 -- 2, Richards 2-4 -- 8, Clausius 5-2 -- 12, McGuire 0-0 -- 0. TOTALS 18 FG, 12 FT.

North Clay              10      6    13    14    --    43

St. Anthony            14    13      9    13    --    49

3-point FG -- North Clay 3 (Lovett 2, Fleener 1), St. Anthony 1 (Kinkelaar 1).

Junior Varsity Game

North Clay              9      8    11    15    --    43

St. Anthony            6    10     5       6    --    27

North Clay -- Kincaid 2, Craig 2, Bailey 3, Holkenbrink 8, Ashida 2, Pierson 0, Lovett 18, Lewis 8

St. Anthony -- Carr 0, Ritz 0, Rogers 9, Repking 0, Jones 4, Hartke 8, Beesley 6