It was a tale of two games in one Tuesday in Mississippi Valley Conference action at Prairie, with the Hawks coming away with a 55-50 victory over Kennedy in overtime.

In the first half, Prairie seemed the more intense team and its halfcourt defense limited Kennedy to only three field goals and 10 points. The Hawks led at the break, 23-10.

“We just didn’t come out ready to play in the first half. They were playing with intensity and we were not," Kennedy Coach Dennis Roloff said. “We just don’t seem to play four quarters."

The Cougars outscored Prairie in the second half, 34-21, and forced overtime at 44-44. Kennedy's full-court pressure resulted in 18 turnovers by the Hawks.

“Their pressure got to us in the second half,” said Prairie Coach Steve Doser. “We didn’t take care of the ball in the last five minutes of the game and we lost our patience on offense."

In overtime, reserves Courteney McCrary and Cyerra Hutchins each hit key baskets and made two key free throws for eight of Prairie's 11 points in the extra session.

“It was nice to see our bench come up with 22 points tonight. It was the difference in the ballgame,” said Doser. “In overtime our kids showed some resilience and took charge of the overtime period."

Kennedy’s Courtney Strait led all scorers with 17 points, including 13 in the second half. Olivia Meier and Shauna Happel both contributed eight points.

Senior Katie Carver led the Hawks with 14 points and nine rebounds. Kate Yanecek and McCrary added eight points apiece for Prairie.

“They played me really tight so I was able to take advantage and drive to the basket,” said Carver.  “I just had more confidence tonight because I wasn’t playing against someone six-foot-two.”

Kennedy (5-10, 5-7) plays Iowa City High on Friday and Decorah on Saturday. Prairie (4-11, 3-9) hosts Linn-Mar Friday and plays Mount Vernon on Saturday.

KENNEDY (50) Meier 3 2-4 8, Strait 6 4-6 17, Nunnikhoven 1 0-1 2, Happel 3 2-4 8, Hildebrand 1 1-2 3, Simmons 1 2-4 5, Schulz 0 0-0 0, Johnson 2 0-0 5, Huebsch 0 0-0 0,  Ross 0 0-0 0, Muench 1 0-0 2, Wright 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 11-21 50.

PRAIRIE (55): Yanecek 3 2-4 8, Carver 6 2-3 14, Crist 3 1-3 7, A. Weiland 1 1-2 4, K. Wieland 1 1-2 3, McCrary 3 2-2 8, Blaha 0 0-0 0, Dellamuth 2 1-2 7, Hutchins 1 2-2 4. Totals 20 12-20 55.

Halftime — Prairie 23, Kennedy 10. 3-point goals — Kennedy 3 (Strait 1, Simmons 1, Johnson 1), Prairie 3 (Dellamuth 2, A.Weiland 1). Fouled out -- A. Wieland, Blaha.