Basketball Recap: Kenlie Zwiener's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Pleasanton over Southwest

Pleasanton suffered their biggest loss since January 29, 2024 on Friday. They came up short against the Southwest Roughriders, falling 64-42. While losing is never fun, the Bulldogs can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Nebraska basketball rankings (they are ranked 138th, while the Roughriders are ranked 36th).

Pleasanton's defeat came despite a true team effort with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Kenlie Zwiener, who posted eight points in addition to five boards and three blocks. Tyra Sekutera also deserves some recognition as she posted her first block of the season.

Even though they lost, Pleasanton was working as a unit and finished the game with 12 assists. This was only their fifth loss (out of 17 games) when they've passed the ball that well.

Southwest's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Allison Vanpelt led the charge by going 6-for-13 to rack up 14 points along with five assists and four steals. Vanpelt is on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed two or more in each of the last six games she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Kyra Nelms, who shot 47% from the field on her way to 15 points in addition to five rebounds and three steals.

Pleasanton's loss was their third straight on the road, which dropped their record down to 15-10. As for Southwest, the victory was the 22nd in a row for them, bringing their record for this year to 23-1.

Pleasanton does not have any more games scheduled as of now. As for Southwest, they will face off against Cedar Catholic at 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday. Southwest is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 55.8 points per game this season.