W-MU girls fall by one

WINFIELD -- The Winfield-Mt. Union girls climbed all the way back from a 12-point first-quarter deficit to take a late lead on Friday night, but Louisa-Muscatine was able to pull out the win in the end, taking the final game before winter break 41-40.

L&M jumped out to a big lead in the first quarter. The Falcons led 17-5 after one period, and despite a tough defensive showing from W-MU in the second quarter, L&M still led 23-17 at the half.

W-MU had a great start to the third quarter. Jobey Malone led the squad back with six-straight points to tie the game at 23-23, and Kyndal Townsley gave the Wolves a 26-23 lead with a three-pointer.

The Wolves led by one point, 35-34, going into the fourth quarter. L&M eventually came back to take a late 40-38 lead. Jenna Buffington hit a clutch shot to tie the game at 40-40 in crunch time, but the Falcons took a one-point lead on a free throw, and the Wolves couldn't find a game-winner in the final seconds.

Malone went 6-14 for a team-leading 14 points on the day. Buffington finished the night with 12 points and seven rebounds. Townsley had seven points and seven assists. Madie Anderson scored three points, and both Carlee Sloan and Liana Sweezer had two.

The Wolves fell to 3-8 with the loss. They'll travel to Mediapolis on Friday, Jan. 4, for their first game of the new year.