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LYONS — Randolph split a pair of road games last week, rebounding from its first loss of the season with a convincing win to remain on solid footing heading into the final games before the holiday break.
The Cardinals dropped a 55-42 decision at Ponca on Dec. 11 before responding with a 51-35 win over Lyons-Decatur Northeast the following night. The split left Randolph at 3-1 on the young season.
Randolph pulled away in the second half against Lyons-Decatur Northeast after a tightly contested opening two quarters.
The Cardinals were able to carry a slim 21-19 lead into halftime, then outscored the Redbirds 30-16 over the final two quarters to secure the win.
Logan Lienemann led the Cardinals with 22 points, knocking down five 3-pointers to pace the offense. Adrian Samano added nine points, Luke Harder scored eight and Ryan Engel finished with six. Kody Junck contributed three points while providing steady defense and interior presence.
Ponca handed Randolph its first loss of the season the night before, building an early advantage and maintaining control throughout.
The Indians led 14-7 after the first quarter of play and extended the margin to 29-17 by halftime.
Randolph trimmed three points off the deficit in the third quarter, but Ponca closed the game by outscoring the Cardinals 13-9 in the final period.
Lienemann again led the scoring with 19 points. Brecken Shearer added eight, while Jaylen Junck and Harder each finished with six.
Randolph was scheduled to return home to face Creighton on Dec. 16 before traveling to Humphrey to take on unbeaten and state-rated Archangels Catholic ahead of the holiday moratorium.
RANDOLPH 51, LYONS-DECATUR NE 35 RAN (3-1) 8 13 18 12 — 51 LDNE (1-3) 8 11 8 8 — 35 RANDOLPH: Jaylen Junck 0 0-2 0; Logan Lienemann 7 3-5 22; Brecken Shearer 1 0-0 3; Ryan Engel 3 0-0 6; Adrian Samano 4 1-3 9; Kody Junck 0 3-4 3; Luke Harder 2 4-6 8. PONCA 55, RANDOLPH 42 RAN (3-1) 7 10 16 9 — 42 PON (2-1) 14 15 13 13 — 55 RANDOLPH: Jaylen Junck 3 0-1 6; Logan Lienemann 6 2-3 19; Brecken Shearer 3 0-0 8; Adrian Samano 1 0-0 2; Kody Junck 0 1-2 1; Luke Harder 3 0-0 6.
