HYDE — Not having to travel during this time of year has been a big advantage for the Clearfield Lady Bison. Being on the home court has been a big advantage for the girls, as they have won six of seven games in the Bison Gymnasium. The third home game in a row for the Lady Bison was one of just a few outside of the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference, as they would welcome in the Lady Cardinals of DuBois Central Catholic on Wednesday night.
Sadly, all good things had to come to an end. Clearfield had an early advantage on the opposition, but would struggle late in shooting, falling for just the second time at home, 55-48.
It was a solid start for Clearfield in the opening stanza, as they would manage to get out to a quick lead and held a single-possession advantage after the first eight minutes. DuBois Central would battle back in the second, and the two squads would trade the lead multiple times, but the Lady Cardinals would hold a 28-27 lead heading into halftime.
When it came to the second half, the Lady Bison went stale.
Lady Bison head coach Missy Helsel admitted that the final 16 minutes did not bode well for Clearfield, as they struggled to get the ball in the net when it mattered. At the same time, Clearfield was not having success at the foul line, one of the things they have struggled with all season. Clearfield went 15-for-28 in the game from the stripe, including just 8-for-16 in the second half.
Late in the going, Clearfield was hindered as top-scorer Mia Helsel would foul out, finishing out a game-high 20 point night, and shortly afterwards Hannah Glunt suffered the same fate.
Clearfield also saw Sonny Diehl and Cayleigh Walker make it into double figures, each putting up 10 points. The Lady Cardinals had Marina Hanes lead the charge with 15 points in the victory. Lexi Berta was close behind, bucketing 14 points.
The home stretch for Clearfield (10-6) comes to an end on Monday night when they are back in league play against the Lady Dragons of Central. Junior varsity will tip off at 6 p.m. Varsity will follow at approximately 7:30 p.m.
SCORE BY QUARTER
Dubois Catholic 8 20 17 10 – 55
Clearfield 11 16 12 9 – 48
Dubois Catholic – 55
Jessy Frank 3 1-1 7, Lexi Berta 4 5-8 14, Marina Hanes 5 3-6 15, Emma Elensky 2 3-4 7, Hope Jacob 1 3-6 5, Julia Sebring 3 1-3 7, Elia Elensky 0 0-0 0, Brooklynn Baummer 0 0-0 0, Nattie Gritzer 0 0-0 0, Lauren Jenhns 0 0-0 0, Lauren Davidson 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 18 16-28 55.
Clearfield – 48
Sonny Diehl 1 8-12 10, Hannah Glunt 2 2-6 6, Alayna Winters 0 0-0 0, Cayleigh Walker 3 4-6 10, Mia Helsel 8 1-2 20, Myleigh Hudson 1 0-2 2, Elia Evilsizor 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 15 15-28 48.