(Atlantic) Clarinda avenged an earlier loss with a 59-47 win over Atlantic on Tuesday night in Clarinda. The Trojans had previously won their first meeting, 62-57, on their home court on December 9.
Sam Kline led the Cardinals with 17 points, while Cooper Baumgart contributed 12. For Atlantic, Hudson McLaren scored a season-high 18 points, and Kale Jensen added 17.
The game began with the Trojans jumping out to a 5-0 run. However, Clarinda quickly responded with a 5-0 run of their own, tying the game at 8-8. By the end of the first quarter, Clarinda held a narrow 14-13 lead. The Trojans made 8 of 9 free throws in the first quarter and ended the half hitting 12 of 13, but still trailed the Cardinals 28-21 at the break.
Atlantic Head Coach Dalton Franken pleased with the defensive effort, just need more production on the offensive end.
In the third quarter, the Trojans narrowed Clarinda’s lead to 1 point, 30-29, and trailed 41-38 by the end of the quarter. After scoring just two field goals in the second stanza, Atlantic knocked three from behind the arc and made 9-13 free throws. Hudson McLaren, Kale Jensen, and Sawyer Tarrell splashed down the long-range shots for the Trojans, outscoring Clarinda 17-13.
Clarinda responded, outscoring the Trojans 18-9 in the final frame when Atlantic was forced to foul, Clarinda cashed in on 19-14 free throws. Warner Schmitt added a key three-point basket in the final frame, extending the lead, forcing the Trojans to foul. The Cardinals capitalized by making 10 of 14 free throws, securing the 59-47 victory.
Other scorers for Clarinda included Ryan Wagoner and Warner Schmitt, who each scored 6 points, Nolan Wagoner with 5, Aidan Johnson with 4, and Kaiden Roop with 3.
Other scorers for Atlantic were Gavin McLaren, 6, Sawyer Tarrell, and Gage Gross, who each scored three points.
Atlantic (2-9) hosts Harlan on Friday. Clarinda (3-7) is at home against Shenandoah.
