The seventh-seeded Ell-Saline Cardinal girls’ basketball squad tangled with second-seeded Little River Redskins Tuesday evening at the Hilltop Hoops Classic in Great Bend, falling in defeat 46-33.

Both teams held serve defensively in the first half, with Ell-Saline (0-11) surrendering just 15 points over the first two quarters of action.  Despite the excellent defensive effort, the Cardinals found themselves trailing Little River (9-3) at the break 15-11.

Both teams began to hit their stride offensively in the second half, with the Redskins forcing a turnover and getting a lay-up at the end of the third quarter to take a 28-21 lead into the fourth quarter.

Ell-Saline cut the deficit down to five points early in the fourth but could get no closer, as Little River went 12-14 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter to keep the Cardinal comeback effort at bay on its way to a 46-33 victory.

Little River senior Kaylie Zimmerman led all scorers on the night with 13 points, with juniors Emma McBride and Morgan Konen adding 11 and ten points respectively in the Redskin victory.

Ell-Saline received a balanced effort offensively, with nine Cardinals finding their way in the scoring column.  Freshman Raleigh Kramer came off the bench to lead Ell-Saline with seven points.  Sophomore Brynna Rowley added six for the Cardinals, while sophomore Reece Ditto chipped in with five points on the contest.

The Cardinals return to action on Tuesday evening, squaring off with sixth-seeded Ness City in the consolation semifinal round.

SCORE BY QUARTERS:

Ell-Saline       4    7    10    12  –  33

Little River    7    8    13    18  – 46