A game of runs saw Nekoosa and Portage battle throughout, and despite the Papermakers taking a 17 point second half lead, Portage came back to knot the game with just over a minute left. Free throws from Nakia Wiesen and Kiya Kolo in the final minute gave Nekoosa a two point lead and Nekoosa escaped with a 52-50 win.
A basket from Madison Bills gave Nekoosa a two point lead, 50-48 before Portage knotted the game at 50 with 50 seconds remaining. After Wiesen made one of two free throws, the Nekoosa defense forced a turnover and Kolo’s free throw with 9 seconds to go proved to be the final points.
“This was definitely a team effort,” said Nekoosa Head Coach Scott Linzmeier. “I’m very proud of these kids on how they battled when everything was getting out of control.”
Ann Schaefbauer had 13 points to lead Nekoosa, 10 in the first half. Wiesen and Kolo scored 11 points apiece.
“Nakia Wiesen had a breakout game just when we needed her,” Linzmeier added.
Nekoosa was 9 of 15 from the free throw line, and Portage was 10 of 17.
| 1 | 2 | F | |
| Nekoosa | 28 | 24 | 52 |
| Portage | 22 | 28 | 50 |
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
