Lady Bulldogs Push Ortonville To Double Overtime

The Lady Bulldogs staged a barn-burner with its rival the Ortonville Trojans Tuesday, January 24, in Ortonville. The game stretched into double overtime.

The score was tied six times and the lead changed hands 13 times. Milbank Area trailed 25-22 at half time and the score sat at 44-44 at the end of regulation to force the game into overtime.

In overtime, Milbank Area was ahead by seven points with two minutes left on the clock, but could not maintain their lead. When the overtime buzzer sounded, the score was 57-57. In the double overtime period, the Lady Bulldogs scored just six points while the Lady Trojans added 13 to their total. At the final buzzer, Ortonville was ahead 70-63.

“This game was full of ups and downs,” said Milbank Area Head Coach Brian Pauli. “Unfortunately, we were unable to get the key stops on defense when we needed them late in the game and in the first overtime.”

Three players scored in double figures for the Lady Bulldogs. Caryssa Mielitz sparked the team with a double-double – 21 points, 15 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 blocked shots, and 2 steals. Molly Rick tallied 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists. Gabbi Cummins followed with 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal.

Sophia Seffrood contributed 8 points, 2 rebounds, 1 blocked shot, and 1 steal. Taylor Thue added 4 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists. Mikaela Hoeke had 3 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist. Mackayla Schuelke made 4 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 assists. LaChasity Finley added 1 assist.

Milbank Area went 27-of-80 from the field for 34 percent shooting. The Lady Bulldogs snared 45 rebounds and 17 steals and made 14 assists and 5 blocked shots. They committed 16 turnovers.

Ortonville made 39 percent of its shots from the field – hitting 22 of 56 attempts. The Trojans gathered the win with 49 rebounds, 14 steals, 5 assists, and 1 blocked shot. They committed 19 turnovers.

Milbank Area will be back in action Friday, January 27, when they travel to Morris, Minnesota.

junior Sophia Seffrood.