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Girls Basketball: Niagara comeback falls short in playoff loss to Three Lakes

THREE LAKES, Wis. — A Niagara comeback fell short Saturday in the WIAA Division 5 girls basketball regional semifinals.

The Badgers erased a 15-point deficit to two in the second half but wound up bowing to Three Lakes 59-44.

“Battle of our height versus their speed. Three Lakes got out to a good start, but we closed the gap to 38-30 at half,” Niagara coach Karl Lamoreaux said. “We wanted to slow the game and Three Lakes wanted a fast pace. We started well in the second half, got the score to 40-38 at the 13-minute mark. We went scoreless for seven minutes. At three-minute mark we were down eight and began to foul. They closed out with 8 of 10 on free throws.”

Niagara (14-10) trailed 38-23 in the first half before Sarah Nawn hit a three-pointer and Taylor Tushoski and Cassandra added buckets for a 38-30 halftime difference.

In the second half, Three Lakes (17-7) scored for a 40-30 advantage. Niagara freshman Jasmine Racine responded with eight straight points, including two triples, to close the gap to 40-38.

The Bluejays, who had lost tournament games the past two years with the Badgers, then went on a 10-2 run with four minutes remaining.

Niagara was held to 14 points in the second half.

Racine led the Badgers with 18 points and Nawn had 10. Macy Sowinski and Chloe Krusick topped the Bluejays with 17 points apiece. Two other players scored in double figures.

“Proud of my girls,” Lamoreaux said. “They played hard all season and it was a very successful season. I will miss my seniors. I look forward to working with my underclassmen again next season.”

The third-seeded Bluejays will travel to No. 2 Elcho (20-4) for a regional final tonight. In another regional final tonight, top-seeded Wausaukee will host No. 4 Green Bay NEW Lutheran.

Niagara 30 14 — 44

Three Lakes 38 21 — 59

NIAGARA: Oratch 7, Racine 18, Nawn 10, Tushoski 2, C. Gill 5, Hannah 2. FT: 3-8. F: 22. 3PT: Racine 4, Nawn 2.

THREE LAKES: Servent 13, Sowinski 17, Beavers 12, Krusick 17. FT: 18-30. F: 15. 3PT: Sowinski 2, Krusick 1.

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