CHBC Falls in Semifinals to Mt. Pulaski

The Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City Hornets appeared to really be clicking in the second quarter of Friday's state tournament semifinal game against Mt. Pulaski.

Then came the second half.

Mt. Pulaski outscored the Hornets 34-17 after intermission to post a 49-41 win over CHBC at Redbird Arena in Bloomington-Normal.  The game was heard on KJ Country 102.3 and www.kjcountry.com. 

Mt. Pulaski and CHBC went toe-to-toe in the first quarter with the Lady Toppers leading 10-9 at quarter's end.  The Hornets came out smoking in the second period, though, and finished a run of 14 straight points begun late in the first period.  CHBC led 24-15 at halftime and all looked right with the world.

Things didn't stay rosy too long.

Mt. Pulaski held every Hornet player except Micah Jones scoreless in the second half.  Jones did what she could, scoring 17 points after intermission to keep CHBC in the game, but the lack of help was critical.  Meanwhile, Mt. Pulaski's Jessica Awe and Andrea Dickerson scored 22 points in the second half and Kendra Willoughby and Erika Leever each scored six of their eight points after the break to bring back Mt. Pulaski.

CHBC had a frankly awful shooting game, making just 15 of 52 shots for 29%.  They did make eight of 11 foul shots but committed 16 turnovers and made just three of 20 three-point shots.  The Hornets did pull down 36 rebounds.

Mt. Pulaski made just 18 of 47 shots for 38%, including five of 13 three-point shots, made eight of 16 foul shots, turned the ball over 12 times and grabbed 28 rebounds.

Micah Jones finished with 26 points for CHBC, including, as we mentioned earlier, all 17 of the points the Hornets scored after intermission.  Also for CHBC: Autumn Riley five points, Kirby Herrmann four and Ava Paruleski and Chandler Ward three each.

Andrea Dickerson with 18 points and Jessica Awe with 15 points led Mt. Pulaski, while Kendra Willoughby and Erika Leever each scored eight points.

CHBC slips to 26-6 on the season while Mt. Pulaski improved to 29-4. 

In the other semifinal, Freeport Aquin edged Annawan 39-38.  That sets up a battle for third place between CHBC and Annawan at 12:15pm in a game to be heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com.   Freeport Aquin will take on Mt. Pulaski at 2pm for the 1A state championship.