Huskies deny Comets of first win, 59-51

Press Staff Report

CHARLES CITY — You had the feeling that this was finally going to be Comets’ night, and that they would be able to escape the 2017 portion of their season with a victory.

But as it turned out, it was Oelwein who escaped with a win as the Huskies held off the final of several Charles City runs and defeated the Comets, 59-51, in the first game of a Northeast Iowa Conference varsity basketball doubleheader Friday at Comet Gym.

After trailing by 5 going into the final quarter, the Comets pulled within 1 (46-45) with 3:00 left in regulation when senior Payton Reams assisted Jodie Sindlinger in the post.

Earlier in the first half after the Huskies were threatening to run away with it, Reams assisted Sindlinger on an inbounds pass under the basket to tie it at 19. Then on Charles City’s next possession after an Oelwein turnover, Olivia Zuspan swung the ball to an open Lynn Hoeft along the perimeter as Hoeft drained the jumper to put Charles City up by 2.

But the Huskies were able to respond on both occasions in regaining and extending their lead, and when Charles City was forced to foul at the end of the game, Oelwein converted all their free-throw attempts while sealing the deal.

Drew Becker had a game-high 25 points, Amber Rosenstiel added 14 and Haley Woodson scored 12 for the Huskies, who improved to 3-5 overall while winning their first NEIC game in four tries.

For Charles City (0-7, 0-3), junior Kara Hoffman had a career-high 19 points which included five 3-pointers. Sindlinger scored 13 while reaching double-figures for the fifth time this season, and Reams had 8 points and dished out 8 assists.

The Comets won’t be back in action until after the holiday/winter break when they host Waverly-Shell Rock on Jan. 2.

Girls Game

OELWEIN 59, CHARLES CITY 51

Scoring By Quarters

OELWEIN 16 10 11 22 — 59

CHARLES CITY 10 11 11 19 — 51

OELWEIN (59)

Drew Becker 25, Amber Rosenstiel 14, Haley Woodson 12, Drucille Jorgensen 5, Kylie Parmely 3.

CHARLES CITY (51)

Kara Hoffman 19, Jodie Sindlinger 13, Payton Reams 8, Lynn Hoeft 6, Olivia Zuspan 3, Danielle Stock 2.