The Brookings Bobcats reeled off 12 straight points to open the game and went on to defeat Mitchell 61-38 in an Eastern South Dakota Conference match up and home opener for the Kernels Saturday at the Corn Palace.
The opening four and a half minutes saw Mitchell turning the ball over and facing cold shooting, while Brookings couldn't miss.
Kendra Knight broke the drought for the Kernels with a basket and Mitchell pulled to within 18-10 at the end of the first quarter.
"Early on we really didn't get decent shots, but we turned the ball over and that hasn't been like us," said Mitchell Scott Van-DerMillen of his team's slow start. "I just don't think we were ready to play."
The Kernels battled on even terms with the Bobcats in the second quarter, but could get no closer then eight points. With three minutes until halftime and a 26-16 lead, Brookings closed the half with an 8-3 run and took a 34-19 lead at intermission.
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The Bobcats opened the sec- ond half-much like the start of the game- with a 9-0 run to lead 43-19.
"We go through too many stretches were we're struggling offensively," VanDerMillen said. "It's early and it will come. I was proud of our kids the way we bounced back. You know when you get down 12-0 you can pack it in and go home and our kids didn't do that."
The Kernels didn't pack it in and scored six straight points and trailed 43-27 with less than two minutes left in the third quarter. But that's as close had Mitchell got.
Megan Sexton led Mitchell with 14 points, and according to VanDerMillen Sexton will have to lead the Kernels. "She real played well tonight and she'll have to carry us," he said. "Her and Sarah (Moody) are really going to have to do a good job."
Steph Vawser added nine points for the Kernels, and Kendra Knight and Ashley Dorale each had six. Dorale also led the team with five rebounds, and Taylor Piper had four assists.
Ellyce Youngren led Brookings with 19 points.
"We were pleased with the way we played tonight," said Brookings assistant coach Todd Jorgenson. "We shot the ball well and our movement without the ball was crisper and we got into a rhythm. Mitchell is an improved team and is headed in the right direction. And you have to give them credit. They could have packed it in early, but they didn't and they didn't quit."
The Kernels (0-2) will host Watertown Thursday at the Corn Palace.
