Kinsleigh Bethune Hits Game-Winner, Concordia Opens League Play with Win Over Marysville

Junior Guard Kinsleigh Bethune stole the inbounds pass and scored on a layup with under ten seconds remaining to lift the Concordia High School Girls Basketball team to a 53-52 victory over the Marysville Bulldogs in North Central Kansas League action on Tuesday, December 12th.

The victory was the first for Concordia.  The team will play again at home on Friday, December 15th at 6 pm against the Abilene Cowgirls.  The game can be heard on 1390 KNCK, 98.3 FM and NCKToday.com.

Concordia led 6-2 early in the game, but Marysville went on an 11-0 run, highlighted by three made three-pointers, including two from Junior Guard Lindsey Dressman.  Bethune and Sophomore Rylie Jessup closed out the first quarter with three-pointers of their own.  Marysville led 15-14 at the end of the first.

The first-half featured four lead changes and three ties, but Marysville began to pull away when Dressman connected on two more shots from long-range and posted 15 points in the first-half.  The Lady Bulldogs led 30-24 at the halftime break.

Dressman, who entered the night averaging 11 points per game, scored 13 of Marysville's 16 points in the third quarter, and the Bulldogs held a 12 point advantage at 46-34 to start the fourth.

Concordia chipped away at their lead, opening the final frame on a 12-2 run to pull to within two points with 3:46 left.

Marysville Senior Kadence Spurgeon scored her only basket of the contest with three minutes remaining, putting the Bulldogs up 50-46.

Concordia Sophomore Charlize Cash answered with a drive and bucket to bring it back to a two-point game.

On their next trip down the floor, Cash drilled a three-pointer from the right side wing to pull Concordia in front at 51-50 with 2:20 to go.

Following a Panthers turnover, Dressman was fouled with 50 seconds to play.  Dressman connected on both free-throws, allowing Marysville to retake the lead at 52-51.  Dressman ended the night with a game-high 30 points.

Cash missed a turnaround with 11 seconds left.  Senior Guard Bella Rader rebounded the miss for Marysville and was quickly double-teamed in the corner, leading to Coach Ben Wertenberger calling a timeout.

Bethune stole the inbounds pass from Kacy Roesch to Rader and quickly scored what turned out to be the game-winning shot.

Bethune had 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in the win.  Kinsleigh was recognized with our H&R Block of the Game.

Cash led Concordia in scoring with 20 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals.  Cash was selected as the Nex-Tech Wireless MVP of the Game.

Senior Guard Carlie Carlgren had 8 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals.  Junior Taylor McDaniel finished with 6 points and 4 rebounds, while Jessup and Senior Jesika Bisnette each finished with 3 points.

Concordia outscored Marysville 19-6 over the final eight minutes.  The Panthers shot 23-of-48 (48.9 percent) from the field and made 6-of-16 (37.5 percent) attempts from behind the arc.

Concordia, 1-3 overall, will close out their four-game homestand by hosting Abilene on Friday.  The Cowgirls lost to Southeast of Saline on Tuesday, 42-22, to sit at 0-4 on the season.  Last year, the Panthers posted two wins over Abilene in league play, including a 42-28 victory in Concordia on December 16, 2022.