Cummins Scores 18 Points in Bulldog Battle

Milbank Area lost the Battle of the Bulldogs to Madison in girls basketball January 31, on the road. The Lady Bulldogs stand at 9-7 for the season.
The score was knotted up 16-16 at the end of the first quarter. Milbank Area stuck close to Madison in the second quarter, but the score read 35-28 at the midway mark. Milbank Area outscored Madison 9-8 in the third quarter, but remained behind at 43-37 heading into the final stanza. In the fourth quarter, Milbank Area scored just 8 points to Madison’s 16, which resulted in the 59-45 loss.

“We were a step slow on defense all night,” stated Milbank Area Head Coach Brian Pauli. “We gave Madison way too many opportunities – not boxing out or not getting the 50/50 balls. In order to beat good teams, we need to do the little things.”

Gabbi Cummins led Milbank Area with 18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, 1 assist, and 1 blocked shot. Caryssa Mielitz followed with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 1 blocked shot. Karlee Mertens tallied 3 points and 1 assist. LaChasity Finley added 3 points.

Rounding out the scoring were: Molly Rick, 2 points and 3 rebounds; Mikaela Hoeke, 2 points and 1 rebound; and Taylor Thue, 2 points, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Mackayla Schuelke contributed 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals.

Milbank Area went 18-of-48 from the field for 38 percent shooting. They had 25 rebounds, 16 steals, 11 assists, and 2 blocked shots. They committed 15 turnovers.

Madison shot 51 percent from the field – making 21 of 41 attempts. They secured the win with 32 rebounds, 14 steals, 6 assists, and 1 blocked shot. They committed 16 turnovers.

Milbank Area travels to Redfield-Doland Friday, February 3, to take on the Pheasants.

Photo: Gabbi Cummins