Late first-half run pushes Colby past Columbus Catholic girls basketball

Columbus Catholic's Marissa Immerfal drives through the Colby defense for a shot attempt during the Dons' home loss on Thursday. (Photo by Paul Lecker/MarshfieldAreaSports.com)
Columbus Catholic’s Marissa Immerfal drives through the Colby defense for a shot attempt during the Dons’ home loss on Thursday. (Photo by Paul Lecker/MarshfieldAreaSports.com)

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This story is sponsored by: Randy LeMoine Agency, LLC – American Family Insurance

By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com

MARSHFIELD – A surge late in the second half proved to be enough to push Colby past Marshfield Columbus Catholic 60-48 in a Cloverbelt Conference East Division girls basketball game Thursday night at Columbus Catholic High School.

Columbus Catholic led 17-16 with 8 minutes to go in the first half, but didn’t score for the next 5½ minutes and Colby took advantage.

Freshman Ashley Steveler hit three 3-pointers in the final 2:36 of the half, including two in the final 38 seconds, to help the Hornets pull ahead 31-22 at halftime.

A three-point play by Natalie Pospyhalla brought Columbus Catholic (3-7, 1-5 Cloverbelt East) to within five at 39-34 with 9:49 to go.

The Hornets responded with a 14-4 run to open up its largest lead at 53-38 after a rebound and basket by Jordyn Halopka.

The Dons could not get closer than 10 in the final minutes.

Streveler ended up with 13 points, Samantha Hayes had 11 points and 12 rebounds, and Hannah Gurtner added eight points and 11 rebounds for Colby (5-5, 5-3 Cloverbelt East).

The Hornets held a 48-34 rebounding advantage and held Columbus to 29 percent shooting (17 of 57).

Jess Trad led the Dons with 17 points despite shooting just 4 of 17 from the field. She made two 3-pointers and was a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line, six coming in the final 1:35.

Columbus plays at Athens in a nonconference game on Monday.

Hornets 60, Dons 48
Colby 31 29 – 60
Columbus Catholic 22 26 – 48
COLBY (60):
Hannah Gurtner 3-6 2-3 8, Carley Elmhorst 3-7 4-6 10, Jordyn Halopka 4-11 1-2 9, Neilana Golz 0-5 0-0 0, Paige Bruesewitz 3-8 0-2 7, Kendra Bellendorf 1-3 0-1 2, Samantha Hayes 5-14 1-4 11, Ashley Streveler 4-8 2-2 13. FG: 23-62. FT: 10-20. 3-pointers: 4-7 (Streveler 3-4, Bruesewitz 1-3). Rebounds: 48 (Hayes 12, Gurtner 11). Turnovers: 21. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: none. Record: 5-5, 5-3 Cloverbelt Conference East Division.
COLUMBUS CATHOLIC (48): Morgan Albrecht 1-3 0-0 2, Baylie Neider 2-4 0-2 5, Maren Seefluth 0-1 0-0 0, Kendra Baierl 1-5 1-1 3, Jess Trad 4-17 7-7 17, Abby Baierl 4-9 0-1 10, Natalie Pospyhalla 1-4 1-1 3, Sierra Litwatis 0-0 0-2 0, Marissa Immerfall 4-14 0-2 8. FG: 17-57. FT: 9-16. 3-pointers: 5-14 (Trad 2-6, A. Baierl 2-6, Neider 1-1, Albrecht 0-1). Rebounds: 34 (Immerfall 12). Turnovers: 21. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: none. Record: 3-7, 1-5 Cloverbelt East.