Lady Bulldogs Edge Out the Sisseton Redmen

Milbank Area slipped past Sisseton in a tight girls basketball match up Tuesday, December 12, in doubleheader action at the Milbank Armory. A packed house watched the Lady Bulldogs defeat the Redmen 55-50 to improve to 2-0 this season.

“It wasn’t pretty, but it was a win,” stated Milbank Area Head Coach Brian Pauli. “Sometimes you have to find a way to win when you don’t play your best. I thought that was the case in this game. But as a positive, we did shoot the ball fairly well. The biggest thing that sticks out to me was our defense. We need to get better on that side of the ball.”

Milbank trailed 14-11 at the end of the opening period. In the second quarter, Junior Gabbi Cummins hit a three pointer, stole the ball from the Redmen, and laid it in for two more. She added another field goal and a final three-pointer to give Milbank the 25-18 lead at the midway mark.

Sisseton came back in the third quarter to outscore Milbank 14-9. And, although the Redmen nailed a three to end the period, the Lady Bulldogs remained ahead 34-32 heading into the final stanza.

Cummins started out the last quarter with another crucial three-pointer. The teams exchanged threes – one by Kellie Karst of Sisseton and one by Taylor Thue of Milbank. Jaecy Engebretson also found the net on a three to increase Milbank Area’s lead to 46-37. Cummins followed that with another three to put the Bulldogs ahead 49-39. Milbank held on for the 55-50 victory.

Cummins topped the charts for the Lady Bulldogs with 18 points, six rebounds, three assists, two blocked shots, and one steal. She made four three-pointers. Thue followed with 16 points, one assist, one blocked shot, and one steal. Engebretson tallied eight points, four boards, and two steals. Molly Rick added six points, one rebound, two assists, and two steals.

Also contributing for the Lady Bulldogs were Sophia Seffrood, five points and five rebounds; Shea Hooth, two points and two rebounds; and Lindsey Mertens, two assists and one rebound.

Milbank Area went 20-of-48 from the field, for 42 percent shooting. The Lady Bulldogs wrapped up the win with 29 rebounds, 11 steals, eight assists, and three blocked shots. They committed 13 turnovers.

Sisseton made 37 percent of their shots from the field – just 19 of 52 attempts. The Redmen ended the game with 38 rebounds, 12 steals, and one blocked shot. They committed 14 turnovers.

Milbank hosts Aberdeen Roncalli Thursday, December 14. Junior varsity begins at 6 p.m. Varsity follows. There will be no C game.

Photo: Junior Gabbi Cummins.