By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
The Southeast of Saline basketball teams dropped a pair of games to Beloit on Tuesday night, conceding the Trojan War on the season.
Girls: Beloit 61, SE of Saline 52
The Lady Trojans put up a strong showing in this game, but couldn’t overcome a monstrous night from Karlie Smith, who carried Beloit to a win with 26 points on the evening.
Southeast kept things close throughout, trailing by just four after one, and two at the half.
In the third quarter, Smith came alive, scoring nine points on four field goals to help push the Beloit lead to six.
Smith didn’t score from the field in the fourth quarter, but she didn’t need to, knocking down each of her eight fourth-quarter free throws to conclude her 26-point night, and help Beloit to a 61-52 victory.
Autumn Lorenz chipped in 15 points to help Beloit get over the finish line while on the Southeast side Kyiah Samuelson (15), Abigail Pearson (12) and Reese Heinrich (11) all finished in double digits.
With this win, Beloit moves to 13-4 overall and stays in the hunt for an NCAA title at 8-1 while Southeast drops to 13-5 and 5-4 respectively.
Boys: Beloit 53, SE of Saline 39
Southeast kept things closer than in their first meeting with Beloit this season, and had the game tied at the end of the first, but a slow second quarter doomed the Trojan effort as Beloit completed the season sweep.
The Trojans scored just six points and one field goal in the second, allowing Beloit to push their lead to ten at the half.
SES managed to match Beloit’s pace for the remainder of the game, but the damage was done as the Trojans in orange and black walked away with a 14-point victory.
Brody Litton led the way for Beloit with 18 points on a night where six of his teammates each chipped in four or more.
Adam Thiel (12) and Gannon Jacobson (10) topped the score sheet for Southeast in the loss.
With this result, Beloit improves to 13-3 overall and 8-1 in league play while SES slides to 5-13 and 4-7 respectively.
You can watch both games on demand below.