KEARNEY—Scoring three points in one quarter will rarely be enough to take down a No. 4 state-rated basketball team.

Twelve points in the second half was definitely not enough either as Kearney Catholic trounced Gothenburg 56-27 Saturday afternoon.

“I liked the way we came out and fought,” said Swede coach Tim Peterson.

The Swedes had a 12-11 lead over the Stars at the end of the first quarter.

Peterson said while Kearney Catholic was in a zone defense, his girls were finding success.

“They put a lot of pressure on our wings from their zone leaving the baseline unprotected,” Peterson said. “The girls out front executed perfectly, getting the ball inside to Taylor (Wolf).”

But when Kearney Catholic switched to man-to-man defense in the second quarter, things fell to pieces for the Swedes.

“Their pressure took us farther away from the basket,” Peterson said, “and we weren’t getting the shots. We started hurrying and our shot selection wasn’t as good.”

The Swedes managed only three points in the second period.

“When they went back to their zone defense for limited possessions, we had success again but we couldn’t keep anything going,” the coach said.

The Stars out-scored Gothenburg 32-12 in the second half.

“We have a hard time creating our own shots,” Peterson said. “That was especially true with their man defense.”

Brittyn Munster was the high scorer for Gothenburg with 10 points. Taylor Wolf added eight points and five rebounds.

Therin Baum had 13 to lead the Stars.

“Even with their injuries, Kearney Catholic is a good team,” Peterson said.

The Swedes fall to 3-12 on the season going into the Southwest Conference tournament.

Gothenburg hosted Cozad Tuesday night after press time.

Look for complete SWC results in next week’s edition.