A late, fourth quarter rally for the Kenai Karidnal boys came up one point short on Tuesday against the Nikiski Bulldogs; as Nikiski held-on for a 52-51 Peninsula Conference victory at KCHS.
For the Kardinals, a second-straight 52-51 conference loss; for the Bulldogs, a much-needed conference victory.
Nikiski Boys 52 – Kenai Boys 51
Nikiski opened a 10-point lead in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter; then battled for the victory as Kenai mounted a late attack which ended with a missed, final shot before the final buzzer.
Nikiski lead 40-33 with a closing three-point basket by Drew Handley to end the third quarter. The Bulldogs then hit a three-pointer by Dillon Hanson to extend to a 43-33 lead in the first :30 seconds of the fourth. The teams traded baskets midway through the quarter; then Kenai mounted a final flourish to draw to within a point at 52-51. The Kards launched the final shot with under :05 seconds remaining and Nikiski notched the victory when time expired.
Drew Handey led the Bulldogs with 14 points; Jakob Kvasnikoff topped the Kardinals with 13 points and Caleb Litke added 12 points.
The Kardinals drop to 3-4 in the Peninsula Conference standings with one conference game remaining against Grace Christian on Saturday. Nikiski improves to 2-4 with games against Homer on February 25th and Grace Christian, March 3rd.
Kenai Girls 49 – Nikiski 20
The Kenai girls defense held the Bulldog girls to single digits in each quarter as Kenai recorded a fifth-straight Peninsula Conference victory Tuesday at KCHS.
Emma Beck lead the Kardinals offensive attack with 19 points. For the game, all eleven Kardinal players scored at least one field goal in the game. Kinlee Jefferys topped the Bulldogs with 12 points.
Upcoming Basketball Schedule
Friday, February 25
Basketball: Nikiski @ Homer 6 & 7:30 p.m. No Broadcast
Basketball: SoHi @ Kenai 6 & 7:30 p.m. ESPN 1140AM, 96.9FM and streaming at radiokenai.com
Saturday, February 26
Basketball: Kenai vs Grace 2 & 3:30 p.m. ESPN 1140AM, 96.9FM and streaming at radiokenai.com
