By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The Lady Panthers held Liberal standout Shamari Lewis to just over half her total from the Jan. 3 meeting. But a huge first quarter from the Lady Red doomed Great Bend to a 67-40 loss in front of Friday's Homecoming crowd.
Liberal forced 10 turnovers in the first quarter and scored nine points in less than two minutes to open Friday's contest. Junior Kylie Rhine capitalized off a pair of early giveaways for seven of the first 11 Lady Red points in just two minutes of play. Rhine finished the opening quarter with 14 points and Lewis added eight points as Liberal opened up a 29-10 lead.
Great Bend was able to level play in the second quarter. Senior DeShawnna Bryant scored four points in the frame and junior Katherine Mazouch made three free throws in the quarter. The Redskins still led 45-23 at the break.
Both offenses stalled in the third quarter. Sophomore Alex Mayers came off the bench to hit a three for Great Bend, and senior Cassie Ellegood hit a turnaround jumper in the lane. Those were the only Panther field goals in the period as Liberal extended its lead to 60-31.
The Lady Red set the clock into motion for good just 33 seconds into the final quarter on a basket and foul from freshman Maliyah Mullens.
Liberal won its fifth-straight and seventh out of its last games with the exception being a loss to No. 2 St. James Academy. Lewis finished with 17 points and seven rebounds. Rhine scored all 14 of her points in the first quarter.
Great Bend falls to 4-11 overall. Mayers paced the Panthers with nine points. Ellegood added eight points and seven rebounds, and Bryant finished with seven points.