Cozad’s transition attack proved to be too much for North Platte St. Pat’s to handle on Saturday as the Haymakers won 81-50 at the McGahan Activities Center.

Cozad (12-1) led 15-12 at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter began with Gage Strauss scoring from up close for the Haymakers. Kellen Shoemaker got a layup after stealing the inbound pass and Julien Davis made a three-pointer to put Cozad up 22-12.

St. Pat’s (5-7) fought back behind the outside shooting of Ben Heirigs. With two minutes left in the first half, the Irish came within 27-26 after Heirigs hit back-to-back treys.

But St. Pat’s couldn’t tie or take the lead. Davis scored the next basket for the Haymakers before Shoemaker buried a three. Owen Ross drilled a three from the corner with 24 seconds and then right before the buzzer, Strauss nailed a three to put Cozad up 38-26 at the break.

The Irish couldn’t slow down the Haymakers in the second half as the deficit kept growing as Cozad wore down St. Pat’s.

Next, the Irish will play at Broken Bow (4-7) on Thursday, Jan. 15.

Score by quarters:

Cozad: 15-23-24-19 – 81

St. Pat’s: 12-14-19-5 – 50

Cozad (81)-Julien Davis 16, Kellen Shoemaker 18, Chayden Hoffmaster 10, Gage Strauss 17, Owen Ross 6, Ollie Davis 10, Ashton Osborn 4

St. Pat’s (50)-Ben Heirigs 24, Ben Hankla 3, Trey Furmanski 3, Jaxon Braithwait 6, Peyton Kramer 14

Free throws: C 3-4, SP 5-9; Three-point goals: C 14 (J. Davis 4, Strauss 3, Shoemaker 2, Hoffmaster 2, Ross 2, O. Davis), SP 7 (Heirigs 5, Hankla, Braithwait)

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