SPRINGFIELD -- The Southern Boone Lady Eagles dropped a 57-39 decision Friday to the Park Hills Central Rebels in the third-place game in the Class 4 state tournament at the Hammons Student Center.
Park Hills Central never trailed in the game. A 3-pointer by Chloe Bukowsky pulled Southern Boone to within two at 8-6 midway through the first quarter. The Rebels then scored the next four points to extend their lead to six at 12-6.
Southern Boone got a pair of free throws from Emilee DeHaas and a basket by Gracie Britton to make it 12-0 with a little less than two minutes to go in the first quarter. Park Hills Central then scored the final five points of the quarter to take a 15-10 lead.
The Rebels scored the first nine points of the second quarter to take their first double-digit lead of the game at 24-10. The Lady Eagles got as close as eight points late in the quarter before a 3-pointer by Halle Richardson in the final seconds gave the Rebels at 29-18 lead at intermission.
Both teams scored eight points in the third quarter as Park Hills Central took a 37-26 advantage into the final eight minutes.
A basket by Bukowsky a little less than two minutes into the fourth quarter pulled Southern Boone to within seven at 42-35. Park Hills Central then outscored Southern Boone 15-4 the rest of the way to take the 18-point victory.
Kinley Norris led three Park Hills Central players in double figures with 14 points, Taylor O’Connor added 12, while Allysa O’Connor chipped in with 10. The Rebels end the season at 28-4.
Bukowsky finished with 11 points to lead Southern Boone (21-11).