Bears come up short against Blue Devils

LAUREL — The Laurel-Concord-Coleridge Bears ran into a defensive-minded Wayne squad Tuesday in the annual matchup of local rivals, and the visiting Blue Devils came out on top with a 52-42 decision.

LCC shot just 35 percent from the field and got off to a slow start as Wayne built a 15-point halftime advantage.

The Bears mounted a secondhalf comeback, using a 16-6 thirdquarter run to cut Wayne’s lead to five at 34-29, but that was as close as the locals would get as they were unable to keep pace with Wayne down the stretch, falling to 9-4 on the season.

Cael Hartung was the only Bear to finish in double figures, leading all scorers with 18 points. Evan Schmitt and Jake Rath each had six points, while Wilton Roberts, Lucas Rasmussen, Evan Haisch and Deagan Puppe each had three points.

Rath led the team in rebounds with nine while Hartung had six. Schmitt had three assists and Roberts and Haisch each had two. Schmitt and Puppe both had two steals.

Thursday’s game with Creighton was postponed. The Bears hosted Hartington-Newcastle on Tuesday and will host Battle Creek on Thursday.

SCORING LCC - Cael Hartung, 18; Evan Schmitt, 6; Jake Rath, 6; Wilton Roberts, 3; Lucas Rasmussen, 3; Evan Haisch, 3; Deagan Puppe, 3.

Rebounds LCC - Jake Rath, 9; Cael Hartung, 6; Evan Schmitt, 4; Austin Hall, 2; Evan Haisch, 1; Wilton Roberts, 1; Lucas Rasmussen, 1; Deagan Puppe, 1.

ASSISTS LCC - Evan Schmitt, 3; Wilton Roberts, 2; Evan Haisch, 2.

STEALS LCC - Evan Schmitt, 2; Deagan Puppe, 2; Jake Rath, 1; Lucas Rasmussen, 1.

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