Manhattan High girls’ basketball swept Centennial League foe Emporia Tuesday, pulling away in the second half for a 58-38 win on the road.
With the victory, the Indians improved to 17-5 overall and 7-2 in league play. They also secured the position for at least a share of the league crown if they win Friday’s regular-season finale at Washburn Rural.
Manhattan won the first meeting with Emporia 71-31 in Manhattan, but Tuesday’s rematch proved tighter early.
The Spartans hung around through the opening quarter, tying the game 12-12 after one. Manhattan began to take control in the second, however, using a 17-6 surge to build a 29-18 halftime lead.
The advantage continued to grow after the break as Manhattan outscored Emporia 14-11 in the third and 15-9 in the fourth to close out the season sweep.
Delaney Larson led the way with 12 points, while Jelena Depusoir and Bailey Busch each added 11. Kat Ball finished with 9, and Ansley Becket and Evie Banks chipped in five apiece. Avery Ingram scored three, and Jackie Horner added two as Manhattan spread the production across the lineup.
The win sets up a pivotal regular-season finale Friday at Washburn Rural. The Junior Blues now feature Kansas State commit Maddie Vickery, who has returned after suffering an ACL tear last July and did not play in the team’s first matchup this season.
MANHATTAN 58,
EMPORIA 38
MHS (17-5, 7-2) — 12; 17; 14; 15 — 58
Emporia (7-14, 1-8) — 12; 6; 11; 9 — 38
INDIVIDUAL SCORING
Manhattan — Larson 12, Depusoir 11, Busch 11, Ball 9, Becket 5, Banks 5, Ingram 3, Horner 2
Emporia — DeWitt 16, Hines 6, David 5, Wiltz 5, Smith 4