Cherokee, Iowa — Western Christian split a conference doubleheader at Cherokee Friday night. The girls game went to Cherokee 47-42, and in the boys game, Western snapped Cherokee’s 9 game win streak 60-49.
In the girls game, Western had a 10-6 lead after the first quarter, but Cherokee outscored Western 18-9 in the second quarter and the Braves had a 24-19 halftime lead. After three, Cherokee’s lead was 36-29. Western was able to get close, but never took the lead in the fourth, and free throws by the Braves late iced the game for a 47-42 win.
Cherokee got a game high 18 points from JeMae Nichols. She was joined in double figures by Alexis Pingel with 14. Western got a team high 12 from Macay Van’t Hul.
With the win Cherokee improves to 13-5, 6-2 in the conference. Western falls to 12-5, 6-2 in the lakes.
In the boys game, Western was able to stave off a fourth quarter comeback to come away with the win.
Western jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead, and had a 19-10 lead after the first quarter. At the half, Western’s lead was 29-22. After three, the Wolfpack had a 41-35 lead. Cherokee tied it up at 41 early in the fourth quarter, but Western was able to hit 11 of 13 free throws in the final quarter and went on to win 60-49.
With the win, Western improves to 12-3 on the year, 8-0 in the Lakes. Cherokee falls to 13-5 on the season, and 4-4 in the conference.
Up next for Western is a home contest against Heelan Saturday afternoon.
