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RANDOLPH - The Randolph Cardinal boys basketball team opened the new year with a loss to Hartington-Newcastle 61-54 in a game played at home on Jan. 2.
A third quarter hiccup caused the problem for the Redbirds as they outscored or tied the Wildcats in every other eight-minute session.
Randolph ended the first frame with a 12-11 advantage and the teams went to the intermission with the Cards still in front, 30-29.
Hartington-Newcastle came out of the break and outscored the Cardinals 16-7 to head to the final quarter with a 45-37 lead.
The Cards gained a point back in the final period, but fell by the seven-point deficit.
Logan Lienemann led three Cards in double figures with 20 points. Luke Harder added 14 and Ryan Engel tossed in 11.
Harder pulled down eight rebounds, Adrian Samano grabbed seven while Engel and Lienemann corralled six missed shots apiece.
Engel handed out six assists and Brecken Shearer had three steals.
Randolph was scheduled to travel to Walthill for a Lewis & Clark Conference date with the Blujays on Jan. 6 before heading to Winside for another loop tilt on Jan. 8.
The Cards will return home to take on Niobrara/Verdigre on Jan. 13.
HNS (5-4) 11 18 16 16 - 61 RAN (4-3) 12 18 7 17 - 54 RANDOLPH: Jaylen Junck 0-2 0-0 0; Corbin Wattier 0-1 0-0 0; Logan Lienemann 6-28 4-5 20; Brecken Shearer 2-5 0-0 5; Ryan Engel 4-16 3-4 11; Adrian Samano 2-5 0-0 4; Luke Harder 7-12 0-0 14.
