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WYNOT — Wynot hosted Hartington-Newcastle in its annual Parents Night contest Friday and used a strong second half to pull away for a 54-41 win.
The victory lifts the Lady Devils to 1311 on the year, while the Lady Cats fall to 8-14 with the loss.
The game was tight at the break, with the Lady Blue Devils clinging to a 26-25 lead. Wynot took control after halftime, outscoring the Wildcats 28-16 over the final two quarters.
The victory overshadowed an outstanding performance by Hartington-Newcastle’s Vayda Lippert, who poured in a game-high 30 points. Wynot countered with a balanced scoring attack, led by Kenna Oligmueller with 20 points and Haley Wieseler with 17.
Hartington-Newcastle opened with a 14-11 first-quarter edge as Lippert scored 10 points in the period and Karissa Bruning added a pair of baskets inside. Addison Sharpe knocked down two three-pointers for Wynot, while Oligmueller added a traditional three-point play to keep the Blue Devils within striking distance.
Lippert added seven more points in the second quarter and Ella Eickhoff chipped in five as the Wildcats maintained the lead. Wynot responded with seven points from Oligmueller, a trey by Jaylin Geisen and baskets from Wieseler and Sharpe to trim the deficit to one at halftime.
Wynot seized momentum in the third quarter. Lippert scored five points and Ella Eickhoff had an offensive putback for the Wildcats, but that was all Hartington-Newcastle managed in the frame. The Blue Devils went on a 15-7 run, fueled by a 10-point burst from Wieseler. Oligmueller added another basket and free throw as Wynot built a 40-33 advantage heading into the final period.
The Blue Devils closed the game with a 14-8 fourth-quarter run to secure the 54-41 win. Oligmueller led the charge with seven points in the final frame, while Makenzie Foxhoven and Wieseler each added a basket.
Lippert accounted for all eight of Hartington-Newcastle’s fourth-quarter points.
HNS 14 12 7 8 - 41 Wynot 11 14 15 14 - 54 FG 3PT FT REB Hart-New 7 4 11-16 21 Wynot 11 4 12-15 24 SCORING
Hartington Newcastle- Vayda Lippert, 30; Ella Eickhoff, 7; Karissa Bruning, 4. Wynot-Kenna Oligmueller, 20; Haley Wieseler, 17; Addison Sharpe, 8; Jaylin Geisen, 3; Taylor Pinkelman, 2; McKenzie Foxhoven, 2; Mya Pinkelman, 2.
