Photo courtesy of Troy L. Hugen Photography

The Pella Christian basketball teams swept Oskaloosa on Homecoming Thursday night and both games of the Little Hawkeye Conference doubleheader were heard live on 92.1 KRLS. The Eagle girls pulled away in the second half for a 58-37 victory over the Indians, while the boys won a nailbiter 52-50 in the nightcap. 

In the girls game, Pella Christian led almost wire-to-wire. Holding a 25-17 advantage at halftime, the Eagles used a 20-7 third quarter to put the game out of reach and improve 8-7 overall and 2-5 in conference play. Rachel Kacmarynski had a big night for Homecoming, recording 20 points, 22 rebounds, and five assists, while Addie Van Arendonk added 13 points and seven rebounds.

The boys contest between the Eagles and Indians was another physical game that came down to the final buzzer. Pella Christian led 41-31 at the end of the third quarter, but Oskaloosa didn’t go away easily, tying the game at 50-50 in the final seconds. With 12 seconds remaining, Trey Steinkamp made one of two free throws to give the Eagles a 51-50 edge, then a Tyson Vander Linden free throw made it 52-50 six seconds later after an Oskaloosa turnover. The Indians got a look at the game winning three-pointer at the buzzer, but the shot was long and Pella Christian improved to 9-5 overall and 2-5 in conference play. Gilbert Flagel led the Eagles offense in the win with 26 points, while Devan Runner added 11 points.

The Pella Christian basketball teams are back in action on Eagle Lane on Tuesday to host Norwalk.