The 2-seed in the 3A girls Riley County sub-state tournament falls in the quarterfinal round at home to 7-seed St. Mary’s by a final score of 36-30 on Tuesday night.

Just like the boys game on Monday night, both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter. St. Mary’s forward Hayden Heim scored all seven of the team’s points. As for Nemaha Central, they made just two field goals and trailed 7-6 at the quarter’s end.

The lack of offense continued in the second quarter with neither team making a field goal in the first two minutes. Both teams also dealt with foul trouble, but the Bears held on to a 16-14 lead at the halftime break. The Thunder left a lot of points on the board as they shot just 7-for-15 from the free-throw line, and only made one field goal in the quarter.

The Bears started the third quarter hot with a 10-4 run to take the first three-possession lead of the game. Heim matched her first-quarter total with seven points as she went into the fourth quarter with 16 points. She helped St. Mary’s to a 28-22 lead after the third quarter.

No points were scored in the first 4:31 of the fourth quarter. The deciding factor was Nemaha Central not being able to score until there was 1:35 remaining in the game. The Bears were only able to make one field goal in the quarter, but it was enough as they were able to advance to the semifinal round. Nemaha Central was only able to make five field goals until the final minute of the ballgame.

Heim led all scorers with 19 points and 18 rebounds, which makes her our Player of the Game brought to you by Farmers State Bank. Isabel Hurla also added nine points in the Bears win. Nemaha Central was led by Cali Honeyman and Reagan Gerety, who had eight points apiece.

Nemaha Central's season ends with an overall record of 18-3. St. Mary’s handed them two of their three losses this season with the other one coming from a 39-34 final on December 5th.