Lady Bulldogs Even Season Record

Milbank Area evened their season record to 4-4 with a 58-44 loss to Castlewood in non-conference girls basketball action Tuesday, January 16, at the Milbank Armory. Gabbi Cummins led the Lady Bulldogs with a double-double. She scored 14 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and made four steals and two assists. Molly Rick followed with seven points, three rebounds, and one steal. Jaecy Engebretson tallied six points. Sophia Seffrood added five points and six boards.

“Effort was a lot better,” stated head coach Brian Pauli. “We were trying to execute what we have been working on, and we took a step forward from our previous game. Obviously, the end result was not what we were hoping for, but we just have to keep working on the little things.”

Milbank trailed by two points at 11-9 after one quarter of play. Castlewood fired in 19 points in the second quarter to lead 30-20 at the halfway point. The Lady Bulldogs were outscored in the third period, and remained behind 42-29 heading into the final quarter. Milbank stepped up their intensity in the final minutes of play, but could not dismantle the Warrior’s lead. They fell 58-44.

Contributing to the totals for the Lady Bulldogs were Taylor Thue, four points, two rebounds, three assists, and two steals; LaChasity Finley, three points and one rebound; Lindsey Mertens, three points, two rebounds, and two assists; and Ashley Wollschlager, one rebound.

Milbank made 38 percent of their shots from the field – hitting 17 of 45 attempts. The Lady Bulldogs snagged 32 rebounds, nine steals, and seven assists. They committed 15 turnovers.

Castlewood hit 23-of-52 from the field for 44 percent shooting. The Warriors sealed the deal with 35 rebounds, six steals, two assists, and one blocked shot. They turned over the ball 13 times.

Milbank travels to Hamlin Thursday, January 18. On Saturday, January 20, the Lady Bulldogs host West Central in doubleheader basketball action.

Photo: freshman Lindsey Mertens.