Maxine Doering scored 15 points, Delaney Larson 14 as the Manhattan High girls basketball team advanced to the 6A State Tournament Friday night with a 45-39 win at Liberal.
Kat Ball hit seven of eight free throws in the final quarter to hold Liberal’s comeback attempt at bay as the Indians move into the field of eight after their 12th win of the season.
Manhattan trailed once in the game (6-4) before building a five point lead at the end of the first quarter. They would then take a 19-16 lead into the second half.
After scoring the first three points of the third quarter, Manhattan would see Liberal score the next five to close to within one at 22-21. Doering and Larson would each bury threes on the next two possessions to build the lead to a game high seven points.
Liberal would get no closer than two the rest of the way, suffering only their second home loss of the year.
Shamani Lewis scored 14 to lead Liberal, who’s season ended with a 15-7 mark.
Manhattan will open play Wednesday in Wichita, with seedings for the tournament to be announced this weekend.
