Southeast’s Jayden Widener put the game out of reach with a pair of free throws with seven seconds remaining to lift the Storm to a 65-60 win over the Raiders in the regular season finale for both clubs.
Just before Widener’s free throws, an untimely turnover by the Raiders erased a game-tying layup.
CCC kept the game close and trailed 48-42 heading into the fourth quarter. The Raiders missed nine straight field goals over the first six and a half minutes of the fourth period but managed to keep close with free throws. At the 5:41 mark, Bailey Lehr hit two free throws to give the Central the lead, 51-50. With 65 seconds remaining in regulation, CCC’s Nyamiri Blair scored two free throws to tie the game at 60 apiece. However, the Storm scored the final five points of the game to secure the win, 65-60.
“I was proud of our effort,” said CCC head coach Billy Perkins. “It was just a tough stretch in the fourth quarter where we missed several field goals.”
Brittany Veik led all scorers with 20 points, while Macey Thege scored 13 points. Bailey Keller and Bailey Lehr each scored 10 points, while Lehr hauled in 11 rebounds.
The loss gives the Raiders a 3-15 mark for the 2021 regular season.
Before the game, sophomores Allanah Beller, Lehr and Mia Stewart were honored as each one played their final regular season game at the Raider Fieldhouse.
Up next, the Raiders will meet North Platte Community College in the opening round of the Region IX tournament. The Knights will host the Raiders at 5 p.m. on Tuesday in North Platte.
