Cardinals wrap up 2025 with a split

HUMPHREY - The Randolph Cardinal basketball team split two games as they head into the Christmas break.

In the final game before the hiatus, the Cards were turned away by a highly regarded Archangels Catholic team 61-41 on the road after taking down Lewis & Clark Conference foe Creighton 54-31 in Randolph.

Against the unbeaten Defenders, the Cardinals dug a hole in the first eight minutes which ultimately led to the loss.

After falling behind 21-6 at the end of the first quarter, Randolph settled in for the next two frames to try to get back in the game.

“We were not prepared for their pressure,” said Cardinal coach Cory Simpson. “We know we have some work to do, it’s back to the drawing board.”

Archangels outscored the Redbirds by one in the second quarter and Randolph nibbled into the deficit by three in the third.

The Defenders cranked up the defense again in the fourth, outscoring the Cards 15-8 to settle on the final, 61-41.

Logan Lienemann led the Cardinals with 16 points on the night, Adrian Samano added 11 and Ryan Engel tossed in seven.

The Redbirds opened the game against the Bulldogs in a defensive frame of mind.

In fact, Randolph jumped out to a 17-0 lead by the end of the first eight minutes.

“We played a very complete game,” said Simpson. “We do need to get back to work however, we have some tough games coming up.”

The Bulldogs trimmed four points off of the Randolph advantage in the second quarter, but a 17-7 advantage in the third for the Cards made the game more comfortable for the home fans.

Lienemann again paved the way for the Redbirds while pouring in 22 points on the night.

Harder tacked on 11 while Brecken Shearer and Engel each chipped in with seven.

Randolph is set to open the New Year at home against Hartington-Newcastle on Jan. 2 before heading to Walthill to take on the Blujays on Jan. 6.

RAN (4-2) 6 9 18 8 - 41 AC (7-0) 21 10 15 15 - 61 RANDOLPH: Jaylen Junck 0 1-2 1; Logan Lienemann 6 0-0 16; Brecken Shearer 1 0-0 2; Ryan Engel 2 3-5 7; Adrian Samano 5 1-2 11; Kody Junck 0 2-4 2; Luke Harder 1 0-0 2. CRE (4-2) 0 13 7 11 - 31 RAN (4-2) 17 9 17 11 - 54 RANDOLPH: J. Junck 0 1-2 1; Lienemann 9 1-6 22; Shearer 2 2-2 7; Engel 3 1-1 7; Samano 3 0-0 6; Harder 4 3-4 11.