Des Moines cuts Lady Cardinals celebration short

KIRKWOOD, IA — One day after knocking off Kirkwood, the 2009 Div. 1 National champions, who had not lost a home game in over three years, the Mineral Area Cardinals task in the two-day Kirkwood Classic did not lessen in its fierceness as they took on the undefeated Des Moines Lady Bears on Saturday, falling this time by a score of 81-71.

Mineral Area (4-3) fell behind in the first half (34-25, but could not make the comeback they had accomplished against Kirkwood on Friday. Instead, the Lady Bears kept their distance from the free throw line where they shot 93 percent making 22-23 attempts.

Briannica Tye lit things up from the field to lead MAC with 34 points, but only Hanna Vette could also muster double-digit figures with 13 points. Sonya Milford  pulled down eight boards to lead MAC in rebounding, and Emily Brummitt collected a total of seven.

The Lady Bears (7-0) had four players in double figures with Katlyn Wood leading in scoring with 21 points and also rebounds with 11 boards.

The Lady Cardinals will play next on Tuesday at 5 p.m. in a doubleheader at home with the men’s team against Shawnee.