The visiting Osceola Lady Indians hadn't scored more than 25 points in an entire game coming into last Tuesday's matchup with the Ladycats, but managed to put up 20 in the first quarter alone and led 20-12 at the end of the opening period.
Warsaw's Tanna Howe accounted for all 12 of the Ladycats points in an effort that kept this one from getting out of control from the tip-off.
A 13-9 margin for Warsaw narrowed their deficit to 29-25 at the half.
A 15-7 advantage for Osceola in the third stretched their lead to 44-32. The Ladycats offense showed life in the fourth, outscoring their visitor's 20-16 but the surge came a little too late as Osceola hit critical free throws down the stretch to steal the 58-52 win.
Howe led Warsaw with 22 points.
WARSAW (52): A. Konopasek, 3; K. Mostaffa, 11; H. Ferguson, 0; J. Bilderback, 0; R. Henderson, 5; M. Reimund, 0; T. Howe, 22; S. Miller, 6; M. Slavens, 2; G. Drake, 0; S. Harr, 0; J. Gerken, 3.
OSCEOLA (58): R. Srider, 0; B. Belisle, 10; L. Shoemaker, 0; R. Cameron, 3; L. Uchtman, 19; S. Hendrickson, 0; B. Rollins, 16; A. Ketner, 7; N. Gannaway, 2; J. Bray, 1.
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In the nightcap, the Wildcats fell behind 33-9 at the end of the first period and the rout looked to be on. However, the no-quit attitude in this year's 'Cats battled back throughout the rest of the contest.
A slim 8-7 margin in the second quarter gave the Indians a 41-16 halftime lead.
The adjustments in the locker room at the break seemed to work as Warsaw came out on fire and took the third with a 17-9 advantage, cutting their deficit to 50-33 heading into the final frame.
The Wildcats onslaught continued and the ball was in the hands of the Green and Black for the game-tying shot, but Logan Gemes' 3-point shot bounced off the front of the rim and Osceola escaped with another one, 61-58.
Noah Siebert paced the Wildcats with 17 points while Gemes came in right behind him with 15.
WARSAW (58): S. Poyser, 13; G. Ferguson, 8; L. Henderson, 0; B. Slavens, 5; B. Henderson, 0; L. Gemes, 15; N. Siebert, 17; A. Burdick, 0.
OSCEOLA (61): Lee, 8; Wisner, 0; Short, 0; Barker, 18; Jones, 0; Reed, 7; Snider, 6; Bloom, 6; Listerud, 13; Fleischer, 0; Murry, 0; Crabb, 0; Wohlers, 3.
