The Fort Calhoun girls basketball team knew Arlington would want to return the favor Tuesday night.
In response, the Pioneers jumped out to a fast start and bested the Eagles for the second time in less than a week, 41-28. They earned a come-from-behind victory at AHS on Jan. 29 and defended their home floor just days later.
“The kids just worked their tails off,” FCHS coach Marty Plum said.
Rianna Wells and Bria Bench knocked down first-period 3-pointers to get the Pioneers off to a 12-7 start before a second quarter scoring run led to a 10-point halftime advantage. Three Tess Skelton buckets, a Maddy Tinkham long-range shot and Abbie Anderson's lone bucket made up the 11-0 streak that pushed Calhoun's lead from 14-11 to 25-11.
Arlington's Kate Miller and Austyn Flesner notched buckets down the second-quarter stretch to pull within 25-15 at the half, but the damage was done. The shorthanded Eagles, who were down two starters, ultimately lost by 13.
Bench and Tinkham led the Pioneers in scoring with 11 and 10 points, respectively, while Kailynn Gubbels led AHS with 10. Skelton added nine for FCHS and Miller had eight for coach Luke Brenn's Eagles.
Fort Calhoun improved to 6-14 with the win, while Arlington fell to 6-11. Plum noted the efforts of bench players Dala Drowne and Tinkham as key to the Pioneers' victory — their fourth in the past six games.
