Playing the second game in as many nights, the Bushnell-Prairie City High School girls basketball team ran into a three-head scoring machine at Rushville-Industry High School Wednesday evening.
And while both teams had three players reach double figures in scoring, it was the Rockets who had the better of it in notching a 69-40 non-conference victory.
B-PC dropped to 3-15 on the season, while RIHS improved to 5-14.
Kate Stambaugh, Becca Lewis and Devin Vogler combined for 59 points for the Rockets, who flew out to a 23-9 lead after the initial eight minutes.
“They made it a track meet at the start,” said B-PC coach Nate Zaehringer. “We were down a starter meaning we had one less person in the rotation which really hurt us.”
B-PC had just two baskets in the opening period, a pair of 3-pointers by Jules Kreps. Kendyl McCleery also added three free throws, but the RIHS offense, fueled by its big three, rocketed into a lead it never relinquished.
The Rockets built a 40-18 halftime lead as Stambaugh, Lewis and Vogler combined for all 40 RIHS points.
Meanwhile, B-PC hurt its cause in the second quarter, missing seven of its eight free throw attempts.
The Spartans put together their best offensive quarter in the third frame as Justice Klinedinst scored eight of her team’s 14 points.
But RIHS countered with 18 points, including 9-of-11 from the free throw line to build a 58-32 advantage heading into the final period.
Vogler topped the Rockets with 22 points, while Stambaugh added 19 points before fouling out.
Lewis added 18 points, including four 3-pointers, followed by Alivia Burwell with four points. Tessa Parton and Kinley Price added 3-pointers for RIHS.
McCleery and Klinedinst topped B-PC with 14 points each, while Kreps also finished in double figures with 10 points.
Scarlett Countryman added two points for the Spartans, who were missing starter Mylee Chenoweth due to illness.
“They came out and kept fighting,” said Zaehringer of his team.
B-PC finished just 6-of-20 from the free throw line, compared to 17-of-25 for RIHS.
On Tuesday evening, the Spartans dropped a 50-31 decision at Farmington.
B-PC trailed 15-8 after the opening quarter and 25-17 at halftime.
The Farmers led 34-23 entering the final period.
McCleery and Kreps topped B-PC with 16 and 12 points respectively.
Klinedinst added two points and Countryman a free throw for the Spartans.
“They’ve made a lot of improvement from the beginning of the year to where they are now,” said Zaehringer.
“We’ve definitely made a lot of improvement and we’re moving in the right direction.”
The Spartans return to Prairieland South Division play on Jan. 20, hosting West Prairie/Southeastern.
