When Northside travel to Springdale, Arkansas Feb. 18, the Lady Grizzlies came to play as they burst out of the gates early opening the game 13-6.
After fighting back mightily in the second quarter, the Lady Wildcats just did not have enough in the tank to keep up with the deep bench of Northside. The Lady Grizzlies went as deep as 11 players into their bench, outlasting the Lady Wildcats 65-56.
“The Northside game is always a tough game because they are deep, but we hung in there and fought even though we fell short in the end,” said junior guard Jessica Olsen.
Olsen finished with 13 points, four assists, four steals, two rebounds, and a block. Junior post Summer Morgan also had 16 points and eight rebounds in the loss.
A few days later, the Lady Wildcats traveled to Fayetteville where they played the conference leading Lady Bulldogs Feb. 22.
The Lady Wildcats showed they belong at the top of the conference after a tough season, in this game. The Lady Wildcats tied them in the first quarter at 11 a piece. Then the Lady Bulldogs outscored Har-Ber by one point in each of the next two quarters, taking a two point lead into the fourth.
The Lady Wildcats fought hard throughout the game despite their leading rebounder, Maggie Gartner leaving in the second quarter due to a torn ACL/MCL (with surrounding injuries).
“The injury…well it happens, and I know something good will come out of it,” said Gartner.
The fourth quarter just wasn’t the same without a huge piece closing the game with them. The Lady Wildcats fell 57-49 on a tough night.
“Well, the game was close and intense throughout the whole game. We went out there to have fun and do our best, and I’d have to say I was really proud of my team on that night,” said Gartner.