BURLINGTON ? Despite another gritty performance, the Iola Fillies came up short once more in Tuesday?s contest against Burlington.
Iola inched the Wildcat deficit down to one in the fourth quarter with five minutes remaining, but failed to convert from the field the rest of the way, losing 36-44.
In the early goings Burlington shot out to 6-0 lead, but a 3-pointer from Elysia Kunkler got the Fillies on the board and within three. Having Kunkler back after missing Saturday?s game with injury was a major boost for the Fillies. Kunkler finished as Iola?s second-leading scorer with eight points.
Other than a few early turnovers, the Fillies looked much more in sync offensively. Still, Iola trailed after the first quarter, 14-8.
Gabby Richards pulls up for a jump shot versus Burlington on Tuesday. REGISTER/ERICK MITCHELL
?Our offense felt better to me tonight,? head coach Becky Carlson said. ?We were more efficient, and made better passes. The other day we had 14 turnovers, which was our best, but we made passes that put some of our players in a bad spot. But tonight, we did not do that. Tonight I felt we moved the ball around better, and worked for better shots.?
Kelsey Morrison opened the second quarter with a 3-point bomb, but the Wildcats held their own. Both teams battled in the second, but Burlington held the slight edge outscoring Iola 10-8 in the period. The Fillies trailed 24-16 heading into the break.
Trailing by eight in the third quarter, Morrison brought the Fillies within five after draining a free-throw following a successful layup. Iola outscored Burlington by three in the third to climb closer, trailing 35-30.
Josie Plumlee brought the juice off the bench for Iola. Plumlee started the fourth with a 3-pointer from the corner in front of the Filly bench, followed by another basket to bring Iola within one. Carlson elected to keep Plumlee in the game for its closing stages.
?She is a great defender,? Carlson said. ?She is a great offensive player too, but she is just so quick on defense. When we need some steals, she needs to get up there and guard.?
After the Fillies came within one, Burlington replied with an 8-0 run to finish off its 44-36 victory. The loss moves Iola to 0-2 in Pioneer League play.
Carlson intends to close out the year with a win. Iola will travel to Prairie View on Thursday. Game time is 6 p.m.
BOX SCORE
Iola (8-8-14-6 ? 36) (pts): Gardner 4, Morrison 11, Plumlee 5, Holloway 4, Kunkler 8, Taylor 2, Sprague 2.
Burlington (14-10-11-9 ? 44) (pts): Hernandez 2, Fajfar 6, Watkins 6, Doebele 7, Young 16, Coursen 4, Hess 3-.
