EMPORIA, Kan. — It was there for the taking, but the Shawnee Heights T-Birds found a way to pull away in the fourth quarter of the Consolation Championship game of the Glacier's Edge Tournament to defeat the Salthawks 51-35.
Hutch trailed by two going into the final quarter, but was only able to produce three points to Shawnee Heights 14 for the finish.
Hutchinson started off slow only scoring three points in the first quarter, but only trailed by five as the T-Birds also had a slow start, partially due to standout KK Emmot collecting two quick fouls which forced her to sit most of the first half.
Senior point guard Breezy Canady picked up the slack by scoring 11 of her game-high 15 points in the first half.
Azariah Dawes continued to shine by getting the Salthawks back in the game with 13 of her career high 18 points in the second quarter. Dawes scored 46 points over the three games played in Emporia. The senior forward is really gaining confidence over the first half of the season.
Rachel Tomac followed her 14-rebound performance on Friday with another strong game off the bench to score seven points. Kaia Smith added six points along with 16 rebounds in the loss, Grace Posch hit two three point shots in the third quarter for six points, Kolbie Craft had six. Lily Rodriguez added a late free throw to account for her one point.
Shawnee Heights was led with Canady's 15, Emmot had 14, Reianna Vega added 12. Jaidyn Euwer came off the bench to score three, Kaydence Torres and Rachel Swift each scored four.
Hutch (6-5) returns home next week to host Newton on Tuesday and Salina South on Friday at the Salthawk Activity Center.