The Exira-EHK Spartans turned up the defensive pressure in the second half and came away with a Class 1A Quarterfinal win over AGWSR 57-47.

It was a close game throughout the first half and the Spartans trailed by one 27-26 at the break. The Spartans were able to gain a 2 point edge by the end of the third quarter at 40-38. The Spartans then took over in the fourth outscoring the Cougars 17-9 in the final period.

Senior Kealey Nelson was a big difference maker in the second half with 12 points and a number of key steals and rebounds down the stretch. Nelson finished with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals. Fellow senior Sophia Peppers worked hard to get to the free throw line in the second half, knocking down 10-12 from the line in the half to help seal the win. Peppers finished with 24 points and 9 rebounds. After the game Peppers said they knew what they needed to do in the 4th quarter to get the job done, and they turned up their intensity to win the game.

Exira-EHK Head Coach Tom Petersen talked about his seniors getting the job done, “I know it gets old saying it, but you don’t get two players like that in your program very often. So when you do you have to cherish it.”

AGWSR was led by 14 points from their star guard Mandy Willems but the Spartans were able to limit her outside shooting prowess with just two makes from downtown. The Cougars see their season end with a record of 21-4.

The Spartans improve to 25-1 and will move on to the Class 1A Semifinals on Friday. The Spartans will take on two-time defending champion Springville on Friday afternoon at 1:30pm.