Tuhn's big scoring nights lead Baxter girls to wins over Janesville, Colo-NESCO

Jan. 14—BAXTER — Emie Tuhn is averaging nearly 18 points per game this season. She put in 23 on Thursday against Janesville two days after scoring 31 in a win over Colo-NESCO.

But as good as her scoring has been this season, Baxter head girls basketball coach Kyle Krampe thinks she's been an even better passer.

Tuhn's 23 points and nine assists led the Bolts to a 60-16 home win over Janesville during an Iowa Star Conference cross-division game.

"She's an incredible passer and we were able to get some easy buckets just off her passes tonight," Krampe said. "She sees the floor so well and is playing with a ton of confidence."

The Bolts scored 60 points in the victory and only nine came from 3-point range and five were scored at the line.

The home team got 45 points within a few feet from the hoop and a lot of those came in transition off full-court pressure that led to a lot of Wildcat turnovers.

"When we are at our best, we can put pressure on teams full court and get some easy baskets," Krampe said. "We want to score in transition."

Janesville was able to stay with Baxter early in the first quarter, but a basket by Mandee Selover started a 15-0 run that extended into the second frame.

Five different players scored during that stretch, including two buckets each from Selover and Bree Buswell.

The Bolts (10-1) led 20-7 after one quarter. Tuhn scored 13 of her game-high 23 in the second. She scored seven in a row to push the margin to 29-9. Two layups and a free throw by Selover and another layup by Tuhn capped a 14-0 run.

Selover finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and two blocks and Tuhn added five boards, three steals and two blocks to her 23 points and nine assists.

"I have been working on trying to create my own shots and trying to keep passing the ball to my teammates when they are open. They've done well to finish, too," Tuhn said. "I like passing the ball to them. We got some easy buckets in transition."

The Bolts outscored the Wildcats 24-3 in the second and they ended the half on an 8-0 run that included four baskets in the paint.

Baxter's suffocating defense continued in the third. The Bolts held Janesville (0-14) to two points in the frame and 12 of the Bolts' 16 points came from inside the lane.

"We are focused on working hard on defense and it translating into offense," Tuhn said.

Buswell's layup to start the third ignited the 35-point continuous clock and most of Baxter's regulars were pulled in the fourth to keep them as fresh as possible for Friday night's conference game against Collins-Maxwell.

"We wanted to get a big lead tonight and get some of our girls a little rest," Krampe said. "We are battling some injuries. Nothing big, but we are just a little banged up."

Krampe said the Bolts are working hard in practice to improve free-throw shooting and their half-court offense.

Baxter shot 53 percent from the floor, made 3-of-10 from long range and hit 5-of-12 from the foul line while turning the ball over 16 times. The Bolts are shooting 48 percent as a team from the foul line this season.

"Our free throws and half-court offense still need work," Krampe said. "I think we've gotten better since the winter break. We are allowing them to play free, too, and that has helped."

Abbie Meyer finished with six points, seven rebounds and three assists, Buswell tallied six points, two rebounds and three steals and Emma Ziesman collected five points and four boards.

Abby McReynolds and Kendyl Stevenson each had three rebounds.

Baxter 62, Colo-NESCO 23

A strong first quarter and an even better fourth were more than enough for Baxter during a conference matchup with Colo-NESCO on Tuesday.

The Bolts got 31 points from Tuhn and Ziesman registered a double-double during a 62-23 home win in Iowa Star Conference South Division play.

Baxter led 16-5 after the first quarter and outscored the Royals 19-5 in the second and 19-4 in the fourth.

It was the second time this season Tuhn scored 31 points against Colo-NESCO. Her night included 8-of-18 from the floor, 5-of-13 from 3-point range and 10-of-18 from the foul line. She also grabbed three rebounds and swiped four steals.

Ziesman's double-double featured 10 points and 11 rebounds and she swiped four steals.

Selover finished with eight points, nine boards and three steals, Meyer tallied six points, seven rebounds and two steals and Buswell chipped in five points, four rebounds, three assists and four steals.

Stevenson registered two rebounds, two assists and six steals off the bench.

The Bolts (10-1 overall, 7-0 in the conference) shot 40 percent from the floor, connected on 5-of-15 from long range and hit only 19-of-45 from the foul line.

Baxter out-rebounded the Royals 37-22, collected 23 steals and turned the ball over 26 times.

Jessica Duran led the Royals (1-10, 0-7) with nine points, and the visitors shot 30 percent from the floor and committed 40 turnovers.