Bean, Ryder, and Hudnall combine for 49 points as Spartans fend off Panthers
By: Jack Secrest
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ALBANY, Ohio (WOUB) — The Alexander Spartans played host to the Southeastern Panthers on Thursday in the opening round of the OHSAA Division V Tournament and successfully defended The Alley, winning 53-43.
The first quarter went by quick, as the Panthers held on to the ball as long as they could before finding an open shot. The Spartans were able to get the lead back after trailing 6-3, and led 8-6 after one quarter.
In the second quarter, Lily Ryder caught fire. The sophomore dropped 12 of Alexander’s 17 points in the period, giving them a 25-14 lead going into the break.
Both offenses were rolling in the third quarter, as Kayden Bean put up 12 points of her own for the Spartans in the span. Southeastern’s Reese Ruckel and Rowan Ruckel dominated the post, and helped keep the Panthers in the game. After three quarters, Alexander led 43-29.
The Ruckels stayed busy in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to single digits, but the Spartans’ lead was just too big to overcome as they pulled out a 53-43 victory.
Kayden Bean (18 points), Lily Ryder (17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists), and Kaylee Hudnall (14 points, 5 assists) showed out in the Spartans’ victory, while Reese Ruckel (19 points, 14 rebounds, 2 blocks) and Rowan Ruckel (10 points, 8 rebounds) put up some impressive stat lines in the loss.
Alexander will play Huntington in Waverly on Monday, where they’ll look to keep pushing through the Division V Tournament.