Lady Bulldogs Outscored by Towering Redmen

The Lady Bulldogs faced Sisseton Friday night, January 10, on the road. Yoda might not agree, but size was a huge factor in the outcome of the game. Sisseton’s roster includes three players 6′ 1″ and taller. Milbank’s tallest players are Jaecy Engebretson, Madi Thue, and Maurina Street — all who measure 5′ 9″.

“We hung in there in the first half,” stated the Bulldog’s head coach Brian Pauli. “but their size made us uncomfortable on offense. We knew going into the game rebounding was going to be a big challenge.”

Sisseton finished the game with 51 rebounds, including 22 on offense. Milbank connected on only 18 percent of their shots and committed 22 turnovers. “That was the difference in the ball game,” added Pauli. “We have to improve in those areas if we are going to be competitive.”

Milbank led the Redmen 13-11 at the end of the opening quarter. Sisseton outscored the Lady Bulldogs in the second period 12-7. Isabella Anderson banked in a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer to cut Sisseton’s deficit to 20-23.

Milbank struggled in the third period and scored just four points. Sisseton, however, was on fire and poured in 16 points to increase their lead to 39-24 heading into the final stanza. Milbank could not recover and the final score sat at 51-29.

Maurina Street and Anderson led the Lady Bulldogs with 10 points each. Street pulled down six rebounds and Anderson had two rebounds and one assist. Jaecy Engebretson followed with seven points, four rebounds, two steals, and one assist. Tracy Pillatzki rounded out the scoring for Milbank with two points and four rebounds.

Also contributing for the Lady Bulldogs: Madi Thue, 10 rebounds and one steal; Hallie Schulte, one assist and one steal; and Tatum Berry, one assist.

Milbank hit 8-of-45 from the field for 18 percent shooting. They finished the game with 40 rebounds, four assists, four steals, and 22 turnovers.

Sisseton made 30 percent of their shots from the field, knocking down 20-of-68 attempts. The Redmen tacked up 51 rebounds, one assist, and three blocked shots. They committed 15 turnovers.