The North Platte St. Pat’s Lady Irish were able to stay with Cozad with their defense but they couldn’t generate enough offense to overcome the Haymakers as they lost 42-28 on Saturday at the McGahan Activities Center.

Cozad (3-10) scored the first five points of the game on baskets by Aubrey Hammerlun and Braelyn Malcom and a free throw by Hammerlun. Rose Green scored the first basket of the game for St. Pat’s (0-12) before Hammerlun made a three and Sara Howell got a layup off a steal for the Haymakers. It became 12-2 after Malcom made a pair of free throws.

The scoring slowed to almost a halt for the rest of the first half as the Irish were able to slow Cozad down. It was 14-6 at the end of the first quarter and 18-12 at halftime.

St. Pat’s pulled to within two to start the second half as Zaleah Cartwright got a layup and Ruby Uerling scored on a putback. But Malcom got a layup and Britlin Bussinger hit a three to put the Haymakers back up by seven.

Cozad led 28-19 going into the fourth quarter. Uerling scored the first bucket of the fourth but Bussinger knocked down a three to make it a 10-point game. The Irish didn’t give up as Cartwright banked in a shot from 18 feet and Olivia Phelps banked in a three. But that was the closest St. Pat’s came. Howell made a three and Hammerlun got a layup off an inbound pass. The game ended with Bussinger and Howell each making a pair of free throws in the last minute.

Next, the Irish will play at Broken Bow (8-5) on Thursday, Jan. 15.

Score by quarters:

Cozad: 14-4-10-14 – 42

St. Pat’s: 6-6-7-9 – 28

Cozad (42)-Sara Howell 9, Emersyn Propp 4, Brittlyn Bussinger 10, Audrey Hammerlun 8, Braelyn Malcom 11

St. Pat’s (28)-Zaleah Cartwright 4, Olivia Phelps 5, Brooke Brosius 2, Jade Welch 4, Ruby Uerling 8, Rose Green 5

Free throws: C 8-17, SP 1-3; Three-point goals: C 4 (Bussinger 2, Howell, Hammerlun), SP 1 (Phelps)

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