Comets can’t foil Falcons

WEST BURLINGTON - The Cardinal boys had West Burlington in a sweat at halftime, but the Falcons raced past Cardinal with a 34-point third quarter to win 95-74. The Cardinal girls lost the preceding game, 80-29.

Despite losing leading scorer Landon Becker to injury earlier this month, the Cardinal boys came into Tuesday night's Southeast Iowa Super Conference South Division game riding a three-game winning streak. The Comets threatened to make it four with a solid first half.

Cardinal led 19-15 after the first period and 37-34 at halftime, but they couldn't withstand a monster Falcon run in the third quarter. West Burlington doubled their total, from 34 points to 68, and took a commanding 68-53 lead into the final eight minutes.

The Falcons kept rolling in the fourth quarter, adding 25 points to their total, and Cardinal saw its winning streak snapped.

Despite the loss, Dawson Lewis had a big night from the field, scoring 23 points. Elias Elammari added 16 points, and Blaine Bryand and Griffin Greiner finished with 12 points apiece.

The Cardinal girls had a mountain to climb against No. 9 (3A) West Burlington. The unbeaten Falcons led 29-6 after one quarter, 54-17 at halftime and 74-23 after three quarters. The two teams split the fourth quarter, 6-6.

Kinsey Hissem reached double-figures for the Comets in a loss. She led the team with 11 points. Shaelyn Rupe scored six points. Alexia McClure and Emma Becker had five points apiece, and Ava Ferrell scored two.

The Cardinal boys are now 3-2 overall and 1-2 in conference play. The girls are 2-5 overall and 1-5 in the conference. Both teams will travel to Danville on January 5.