MOKANE - The No. 5 seed Lady Wildcats outscored the No. 8 Ladybirds 32-21 in the second half of Wednesday night's victory in the consolation semifinals of the South Callaway Invitational Tournament.
New Bloomfield (8-6) - stopping a two-game losing streak - trailed 18-17 after one quarter, but outscored North Callaway 10-2 in the second quarter to go in front 27-20 at halftime. The Lady Wildcats edged the Ladybirds 15-12 in the third quarter to extend their lead to 42-32, then clinched the win by outscoring North Callaway 17-9 in the fourth quarter.
Senior forward Katie Kelley produced 16 points to steer three players in double figures for New Bloomfield. Senior center Samantha Haas contributed 13 points and senior guard Parker Pitzen knocked down four 3-pointers in finishing with 12 points.
"We were more patient (on offense) and didn't try to speed the game up," Lady Wildcats head coach Brett Craighead said. "We were still quick, but at our own pace - we made better decisions and found the open man."
Senior guard Kenzie Ausfahl tallied a game-high 18 points - including three 3s - to pace North Callaway (3-9), which has lost four in a row. Junior guard Daelyn Schmauch also hit three 3s in posting 11 points.
"We played well in the first quarter, but then we couldn't make baskets in the second quarter," Ladybirds head coach Morgan Beamer said. "Give credit to New Bloomfield - they made their shots all night long."
New Bloomfield will face either No. 6 seed Montgomery County or No. 7 New Haven for fifth place at 6 p.m. Friday in the high school gym. North Callaway plays the Montgomery County-New Haven loser for seventh place at the same time in the middle school gym.