The Liberal Lady Red won a gritty 47-42 overtime game over Salina Central in the Brick House in Salina Thursday night.  It was Liberal’s 8th straight opening win in the Salina Invitational.  Liberal won their first road game of the season despite falling behind by eight in the first half and committing 21 turnovers.  Liberal shot 35 percent from the field.  The Lady Red defense stood tall holding the Lady Mustangs to 27 percent shooting.

Buoyed by their home crowd in their home gym, Salina Central jumped to a 14-6 lead.  The Lady Mustangs led 20-14 at halftime.  Liberal out scored SCHS 15-4 in the third quarter to lead 29-24 after Shamari Lewis banked in a three at the buzzer.  The Lady Red led 33-25 in the fourth quarter.  Liberal led 37-33 with 1:24 remaining.  Liberal led 39-36 with 8.4 seconds left.  Salina Central hit a three with 1.8 seconds left to tie it 39-39.  Liberal never trailed in overtime.

Shamari Lewis was dominant with 21 points and 13 rebounds.  She was Epic Touch Player of the Game.  Hailey Contreras scored 11.  Kamilah Delgado had eight points and eight rebounds.

Liberal was 16-22 from the foul line and Salina Central was 9-13.

This was Liberal’s 6th straight win against Salina Central.  The Mustangs are 4-4 and Liberal is 7-3.  Liberal plays #1 class 5A Andover Friday afternoon at 3pm at Kansas Wesleyan in Salina.  Redskin Pre-game at 2:45 on 1270 and 92.3.