LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Hesston College women’s basketball team opened strong but fell 86–57 to Haskell on Wednesday night at Coffin Complex.
The Larks led after the first quarter before Haskell used a big second quarter to seize control and pull away in the second half.
Hesston set the early tone, jumping out to a 4–0 lead on a layup from Akiva Brown and a jumper by Krysten Carter. The Larks defended well in the opening minutes and battled on the glass, with Mia Curtis converting a late three-point play to keep the game tight. Brown scored at the buzzer to give Hesston a 16–15 advantage after one.
The momentum shifted in the second quarter. Haskell heated up from the field, shooting 50 percent in the period, and used a series of transition baskets and second-chance opportunities to build separation. Despite baskets inside from Brown and Curtis and free throws from Sarah Beltran and Anna McIntire, the Larks were limited to 12 points in the quarter. Haskell closed the half on a run to take a 41–28 lead into the locker room.
In the third quarter, Hesston found some rhythm from beyond the arc. Beltran knocked down a pair of three-pointers, and Brown added a strong finish inside to keep the Larks competing. Mariah Hall contributed on the boards and at the free-throw line as Hesston scored 16 points in the period. However, Haskell answered with timely three-point shooting of its own and extended its advantage to 64–44 heading into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter saw continued effort from the Larks, highlighted by Brown’s aggressive play around the rim and a late three from Curtis. Hesston fought to the final whistle, but Haskell maintained control and pushed its lead to as many as 29 down the stretch.
Brown led Hesston with 14 points, while Curtis added 11 off the bench. Carter finished with nine points, and Beltran chipped in eight, including two three-pointers. Hall and Brooke Bettis each grabbed six rebounds as the Larks totaled 40 boards.
As a team, Hesston shot 28.6 percent from the field and 3-of-24 from three-point range, while Haskell converted 41 percent overall and connected on 10 three-pointers. The Larks scored 28 points in the paint and 13 points off turnovers but were unable to overcome Haskell’s second-quarter surge.
The Larks will face Arkansas Baptist on Saturday, February 14 in the regular season finale.
