Lady Pups Beat Augusta 41-38, advance

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McPherson Bullpups Edge Out Augusta in Thriller, Advance to Sub-State Finals

The McPherson Bullpups girls basketball team showcased their trademark defensive tenacity Tuesday night, grinding out a hard-fought 41-38 victory over the Augusta Orioles in the Class 4A Sub-State Semifinal at Hutter Gymnasium. The Bullpups, led by junior Brooke Doyle's 9-for-10 performance from the free throw line, built an early lead and weathered a late Augusta rally to secure their spot in the championship game. Senior Ellie Bauer and junior Maren Sandbo provided crucial three-point shooting, while sophomore Piper Alvord's hustle plays and timely steals exemplified the floor-burn mentality that Coach Kinnamon has praised all season.

Despite a valiant comeback effort from Augusta's Bom twins, McPherson's defensive strategy proved effective, holding the normally dangerous Emma Bom scoreless in the first half after she had exploded for 27 points in their previous matchup. The game remained tight throughout, with Augusta pulling within two points on Ella Bom's three-pointer with just 14 seconds remaining, but the Orioles' final attempt to tie fell short at the buzzer. The victory advances McPherson to face top-seeded Wellington in the Sub-State Championship, keeping alive their hopes for a return to the 4A State Tournament in Salina.

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