Frigid Tribe stays winless

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A prime opportunity to break into the win column slipped through the YHS girls’ frozen fingers, Thursday night in The Pit.
The Indians shooting was nearly as frigid as the single-digit temperature outside in a 41-39 loss to Merino. They went 16-percent from the floor, including 10-of-52 on 2-pointers and making one of 13 attempts beyond the arc. They were decent from the charity stripe, making 16 of 24 (66 percent).

Still, the Indians had every opportunity to win the game up to the final buzzer.
Yuma led 6-2 and 13-10 in the first quarter. The teams were tied three times in the second, but Merino led 24-21 at halftime. The Indians did not score for about 4 minutes in the third as Merino built a 29-23 lead.

Emma Rayl is hair whipped while handling the ball at the free-throw line, Thursday night in The Pit. (Pioneer Photo)

However, the Indians closed the quarter with baskets from Emma Rayl and Ema Richardson to pull within 29-27 heading into the fourth. Free throws by Richardson and Taylor Law gave the Tribe a 30-29 lead. Lea Richardson’s free throws gave Yuma a 35-32 lead with under 4 minutes left. Merino answered with a 7-2 run for a 39-37 lead.
Lea Richardson and Taylor Law apply defensive pressure, Thursday night against Merino. (Pioneer Photo)
Merino led 41-39 with seven seconds left when the Indians had a fastbreak, but it was well defended and a pass intercepted before the final buzzer.
Richardson had 13 points and 12 rebounds, Emma Rayl eight points and two rebounds, Elle Roth six points and 10 rebounds, Lea Richardson five points (all the charity stripe) and five rebounds, Meidi Reyes three points and four rebounds, Law two points and two rebounds, Samantha Wells two points and one rebound, and Liddy Day one rebound. Yuma recorded just two assists.
The Indians now are 0-6 overall, 0-3 on Lower Platte Activities Association play heading into today’s game at Caliche.