photo by: Carter Gaskins

Free State senior Thayu Kimori (15) shoots a 3-point shot in the first quarter during a game against Shawnee Mission West Friday night at FSHS on Jan. 29, 2021.

A lopsided second half sunk the Free State’s girls basketball team during its 62-34 loss to Olathe West Tuesday night at FSHS.

The Owls (6-4, 4-2 Sunflower League) outscored the Firebirds, 39-18, over the final two quarters to pull away in a league tilt. FSHS (4-7, 2-6 Sunflower League) only faced a 23-16 deficit at halftime, but couldn’t maintain that momentum after the break.

Senior Shannon Clarke, who had a nifty spin move for a bucket at one point in the game, led FSHS with 12 points in the loss. Entering Tuesday, Clarke was second in the Sunflower League in scoring with an average of 16 points per game.

Thayu Kimori finished with 11 points for the Firebirds after knocking down a trio of 3-pointers.

Free State will travel to Shawnee Mission East at 7 p.m. Friday.

Olathe West 12 11 25 14 — 62

Free State 7 9 10 8 — 34

Free State (34)

Evy Harrell 1, Shannon Clarke 12, Robin Todd 2, Thayu Kimori 11, Anna McIntire 4, Kenzie Marcum 4