According to Brian Pauli, head coach of the Lady Bulldogs basketball team, his young team has struggled with turnovers this season. Pauli says, “In... Lady Bulldogs Look to Use Christmas Break to Work on Improving

According to Brian Pauli, head coach of the Lady Bulldogs basketball team, his young team has struggled with turnovers this season. Pauli says, “In two of the games we played last week, the turnovers really hurt us. They have been our Achilles heel and it is something we plan to work on over the break.”

The Lady Bulldogs fell 62-25 to Aberdeen Roncalli on December 19, at the Milbank Armory. They also were defeated 49-20 by Deubrook Area on December 21 in the Entringer Basketball Classic in Colman.

Milbank 25 – Aberdeen Roncalli 62

Coach Pauli believes Roncalli’s full-court press was a big factor in the loss to Roncalli. “That really hurt us, and we didn’t handle it very well,” he said. “But we will continue to work hard.”

Milbank trailed 5-13 at the end of the first quarter and 13-33 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Lady Bulldogs cut into the deficit, but remained behind at 24-50 heading into the final stanza.

Jaecy Engebretson led Milbank with 10 points, two rebounds, two assists, and three steals. Maurina Street followed with six points, three rebounds, and one assist. Isabella Anderson chipped in with five points, two assists, two steals, and one blocked shot. Tracy Pillatzki added two points, one rebound, and one steal.

Also contributing for the Lady Bulldogs were: Tatum Berry, two points, one assist, and two blocked shots; Madi Thue, four rebounds; and Hallie Schulte, one steal.

Milbank made 30 percent of their shots from the field, hitting eight-of-27 attempts. The Lady Bulldogs finished the game with 24 rebounds, six assists, eight steals, and three blocked shots. They committed 23 turnovers.

Roncalli hit 26-of-61 from the field for 43 percent shooting. The Cavaliers tallied 35 rebounds, 13 steals, and one blocked shot. They were charged with 11 turnovers.

Milbank 20- Deubrook Area 49

Turnovers plagued the Lady Bulldogs in their 49-20 loss to Deubrook Area. Milbank committed 27 turnovers; Deubrook just 14. “We just need to keep working on this,” said Coach Pauli.

Milbank trailed 4-11 at the end of the first quarter, and 11-24 at the midway mark. Deubrook broke open the game in the third quarter and led 14-42. The Lady Bulldogs could not recover.

Engebretson led the Lady Bulldogs with 11 points, nine rebounds, one assist, one blocked shot, and two steals. Street tallied two points, seven boards, and two assists. Thue added two points, six rebounds, one assist, and one blocked shot. Schulte and Pillatzki each chipped in with two points and one rebound. Berry had one point and one steal, Anderson was credited with two rebounds and two steals.

Milbank connected on 8-of-42 from the field for 19 percent shooting. The Lady Bulldogs ended with 41 rebounds, four assists, six steals, and two blocked shots. They were charged with 27 turnovers.

Deubrook made 30 percent of their shots from the field, hitting 17-of-57 attempts. The Dolphins recorded 41 rebounds, and four steals. They committed 14 turnovers.

Photo – Senior Tracy Pillatzki

Staff Writer

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