MANKATO — The close losses continue to pile up for Century as the Panthers dropped a 54-51 Big Nine Conference game to Mankato West in girls basketball on Tuesday.
Century trailed by five at the half but rallied in the second half and led by four with three and a half minutes to play. But the lead didn't last as East mounted a late rally.
"That's kind of what's been going on with us lately," Century coach Chris Stenzel said. "We get a lead and then have a turnover here and don't take a shot when we should."
The Panthers had a last-second 3-point shot to tie the game, but it was off the mark. Five of Century's past six losses have now by been five points or less.
Free throws were a big difference. Century was just 7-for-16 at the line while West was 15-for-19.
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Sophomore guard Kanani Asuncion paced Century with 26 points and 11 rebounds.
"We need some other people to step up," Stenzel said. "We're relying on her a little too much right now."
Century (6-12, 3-8 Big Nine) will host Faribault on Friday on Parents Night.
Mankato East 54, Century 51
CENTURY (51)
Alyssa Lewis 8, Kanani Asuncion 26, Morgan Hartman 11, Alecia Kupfer 4, Deleonne Clark 2.
Other stats:Asuncion 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block; Hartman 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal; Lewis 4 steals; Lewis 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals; A.Kupfer 4 rebounds, 1 steal; Clark 2 rebounds, 5 assists; Morgan Hazelton 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal.
MANKATO WEST (54)
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Lexi Schoper 19, Malorie Veroeven 12, Sarah Buryska 3, Cara Christiansen 16, Lauren Resner 5.
Halftime:MW 28, CENT 23.
Free throws:CENT 7-16, MW 15-19.
Three-point goals:CENT 8 (Hartman 3, Asuncion 3, Lewis 2), MW 4 (Schoper 1, Veroeven 2, Buryska 1).
