The CAM Cougars girls basketball team built a 20-point lead in the 2nd quarter and were able to hold off a strong charge from the Audubon Wheelers to win 73-67. The Cougars led the game 21-14 at the end of the first and built the advantage to 20 midway through the second. Audubon used the foul line to climb back within 10 by halftime at 41-31. The Cougars held a 62-54 lead by the end of the third and kept the Wheelers at bay in the final period.

After the game CAM Head Coach Joe Wollum said that second quarter was big, “Yeah early in that second quarter until about two minutes left in the half we saw some of the best basketball we’ve played all year. It was great to see the girls play that way.”

The game was full of big performances from star players as well. CAM standout senior Madison Gettler led all scorers with 25 points, 17 of those in the first half. Paige McAfee hit six 3-pointers and finished with 21 points on the night to help the Cougar cause. On the Wheelers’ side outstanding freshman Aleah Hermensen finished with 24 points before fouling out near the end of the contest. Leah Subbert had 19 for the Wheelers and also fouled out late in the game.

CAM advances to the Class 1A Region 7 Semifinals on Friday night. They will take on the Fremont-Mills Knights, who advanced with a 51-46 road win over Griswold. The Cougars and Knights will meet in Guthrie Center on Friday at 7:00pm. We’ll have coverage of that game on KJAN Friday night.