OSHKOSH, NE — The third quarter proved to be the difference maker in both games as the Potter-Dix Coyotes and Garden County Eagles faced off in a double-header Friday night in Oshkosh. 

In the opening contest of the night, the Lady Eagles got out to a quick start, taking a 9-0 lead. That advantage became 15-5 lead after the first quarter behind six points by sophomore McKenna Krueger. 

The second quarter was more tightly contested as Potter-Dix's defense slowed down Garden County. The Lady Eagles had a 22-11 lead at the break. 

Garden County then pulled away in the third quarter. The Lady Eagles held the Lady Coyotes to two points in the third quarter while scoring 16 themselves. In total Potter-Dix only managed seven points the entire second half as the Lady Eagles pulled away for a 42-18 win.

Krueger and senior Kaitlyn Hunt each finished with eight points to lead Garden County. Sophomores Kylie Fiethner and Kailey Nicklas each had five points for Potter-Dix. 

The Lady Eagles improve to 6-13 with the win while Potter-Dix is now 2-15 after the loss. 

Sophomore Luke Kasten could not miss in the opening minutes of the boys contest. He hit three shots from beyond the arc as Potter-Dix stormed out to an early 9-2 lead. 

Kasten ended the first quarter with 13 points. The Coyotes hit four three-pointers in the opening period as they lead 18-13 after one. 

Garden County kept it close in the second quarter, making it a one possession game on multiple occasions. A late rally by Potter-Dix moved the lead back to six before the end of the first half. The Coyotes held a 33-27 advantage at the break. 

Garden County came out firing in quarter three, with sophomore Johnny Vargas and junior Jordan Underwood hitting shots from beyond the arc. That made it 35-33 with Potter-Dix holding the slim lead. 

The Coyotes then took control permanently over the rest of the third quarter. Potter-Dix outscored the Eagles 18-4 over the rest of the period to take a 53-37 lead into the fourth quarter. 

Potter-Dix went on to win 75-54 behind a game-high 36 points from Kasten. Junior Thomas Muldoon added 11 points for the Coyotes. 

Vargas paced the Eagles 25 points. Senior Zane Christansen and Underwood each added eight points. 

The Coyotes are now 13-4 this season while the loss dropped Garden County to 4-14. Potter-Dix will return home to face off next against Peetz, Co. on Tuesday, Feb. 9. Garden County will stay in Oshkosh for a Feb. 9, showdown with Hyannis.