Lady Bulldogs Bitten by Bearcats

The Milbank Area Lady Bulldogs battled to the last minute but fell 65-56 to Webster Area in girls basketball action Thursday, December 22, on the road. The locals drop to 2-2 for the season.

The Lady Bulldogs trailed 18-14 at the end of the opening quarter. In the second quarter, Milbank Area outscored the Bearcats 17-15 to cut their deficit to two points at 33-31 at the midway mark.

They struggled in the second half and scored just eight points. Webster Area poured in 16 points to lead 49-39 heading into the final stanza. The Lady Bulldogs again outscored the Bearcats in the final period, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit.
“Even though the end result was not a ‘W’, I was proud of the girls’ effort,” stated Lady Bulldog head coach Brian Pauli. “Other than a three-minute stretch in the third quarter where we made too many mistakes, we kept up with a good team. They have a very good player, Haley Rithmiller, who scored 35 points.”

Three players scored in double figures for the Lady Bulldogs. Molly Rick led with 17 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. Gabbi Cummins followed closely with 16 points and 1 steal. Caryssa Mielitz added 10 points and 7 rebounds.

Also adding to the score book for the Lady Bulldogs were: Mikaela Hoeke, 9 points, 8 rebounds, and a steal; Mackayla Schuelke, 4 points, 5 boards, 1 assist, and 2 steals; Karlee Mertens, 3 rebounds; Taylor Thue, 2 rebounds and 2 assists; and Sophia Seffrood, 2 rebounds and 1 blocked shot.

Milbank Area hit 16-of-49 from the field for 33 percent shooting. The Lady Bulldogs snared 37 rebounds, had 7 steals, 4 assists, and 1 blocked shot. They committed 21 turnovers.

Webster Area made 53 percent of its shots from the field – hitting 24 of 45 attempts. The Bearcats secured the victory with 27 rebounds, 20 steals, 4 assists, 1 blocked shot, and 12 turnovers.

The Lady Bulldogs will take the court in the second game of the One Stop Basketball Shootout Thursday, December 29, at the Milbank Armory.

Pictured above, junior Molly Rick.