Manawa’s girls’ basketball team closed out its pre-Christmas portion of its schedule Dec. 22 with a 52-25 nonconference loss to Plainfield Tri-County.
The Wolves reduced their number of turnovers to 18 in the game, but managed to shoot only 20 percent from the floor on 10 of 50 shots, including one of 20 three-pointers.
Manawa did a better job of breaking the Penguins’ full-court press, but struggled with Tri-County’s 2-3 zone defense.
A 9-0 run helped the Penguins take a 13-3 lead with 1:59 left in the first quarter. Alexis Wepner and Ashlee Strebe finished the quarter with a basket and two free throws to pull Manawa within six points.
Freshman Amber Baehman opened the second quarter with a three-pointer and a free throw to give Tri-County a 19-7 lead in the second quarter. The Penguins also led 26-14 at halftime.
Manawa couldn’t take advantage of Tri-County’s seven turnovers in the third quarter and the Penguins took a 36-20 lead into the final period.
Tri-County opened the fourth quarter with an 8-0 run and built a 44-20 lead with 4:37 left to play. Strebe finally ended the Penguins’ run as both teams emptied their benches during the final four minutes.
Carlee Zander Strebe and Wepner led Manawa with 17 points, while Baehman led all scorers with 16.
The Wolves competed in Almond-Bancroft’s holiday tournament Dec. 29-30 and will resume Central Wisconsin 8 Conference play Friday, Jan. 9, with a home game against Stevens Point Pacelli. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.