Lady Bulldogs Battle Warner In Defensive Showdown

The Milbank Area Lady Bulldogs used their tough defense to stick close to the Warner Monarchs through three quarters, but struggling to put the game away as they fell 40-28 Tuesday, January 26, in a road contest. Milbank Area dropped to 3-10 on the season with the loss.

The Lady Bulldogs have played well defensively all season and this contest was no exception. Milbank Area stuck close to Warner and trailed 10-8 and 19-16 after the first half. The locals came out in the second half ready to play and narrowly outscored the Monarchs which cut the deficit to 26-24 heading into the final stanza. Milbank Area struggled on the offensive end in the fourth quarter and produced just four points while Warner fired in 14 points to secure the victory.

“I felt that we played outstanding defense the whole game,” noted Milbank Area head coach Joe Frederiksen. “Unfortunately we had a hard time making some key baskets in the second half.”

Caryssa Mielitz led the Lady Bulldogs with 12 points, five rebounds, one steal, one blocked shot and one turnover. Mackayla Schuelke followed with nine points, which came from three three-pointers, three rebounds, three steals and three turnovers. Molly Rick tallied four points, five rebounds, one steal, one assist and four turnovers while Sophia Seffrood added two points. Also contributing for Milbank Area were Shelby Hooth, one point, one rebound and one turnover; Mikaela Hoeke, two rebounds, one steal and one assist; Karlee Mertens, one rebound and one steal, and Mikayla Street, one rebound and one steal.

Milbank Area made just 21 percent from the field, hitting nine of 43 attempts. The locals were five of 18 in the first half and four for 25 in the second. The Lady Bulldogs completed the game with 25 rebounds, eight steals, two assists, one blocked shot and nine turnovers.

Warner went 15 for 35 from the field for 43 percent shooting on the night. The Monarchs won the game with 34 rebounds, two steals, one assist and 13 turnovers.

The Lady Bulldogs will finish out the week with two home games. Milbank Area will host Aberdeen Roncalli Friday, January 29, and Castlewood Saturday, January 30.

Junior Varsity – The Milbank Area junior varsity team edged out Warner 38-34 in a road game Tuesday, January 26.