Three Bulldogs Score Double Figures in Hoops Battle

The Bulldogs play their last basketball game of the regular season against Aberdeen Roncalli on Friday, February 26. Tip-off is 7:30 p.m. at the Milbank Armory. 

Milbank recently suffered two recent losses to Madison and Tiospa Zina.  The game against Roncalli  will give the Dawgs an opportunity to add one more “W” to the win column (10-9) before heading into post-season play. 
Milbank fell to Madison in the battle of the Bulldogs on Monday, February 22.  The final score was 52-69. “I’m proud of our boys and the effort they played with,” stated head coach Logan Diede. “I was happy with the way we answered Madison’s runs throughout the game and made runs of our own. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get over the hump and cap it off. But this group has the ‘right stuff’ and a big time buy-in.”

Milbank hung close to Madison in the first period and trailed by just one point at 18-19. The locals struggled in the second quarter and fell behind 26-34 at the midway mark. Milbank came back with solid play in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 42-45 heading into the final period, but Madison dropped in 24 points in the fourth to take the win.

Three players scored in double figures for Milbank. Stevie Ash came off the bench and fired in 12 points, all three-pointers, to pace Milbank. Will Cummins followed with 11 points, four rebounds, two steals, and one assist. Garrett Mertens tallied 10 points, one rebound, two assists, and one steal.  Bennett Schwenn dropped in seven points, grabbed eight rebounds, and made two assists. Carter Hartman added six points and two boards.
Also contributing to the totals for Milbank were:  Mason Riley, three points, three rebounds, one steal, and one blocked shot; Justus Osborn, three points, one rebound, and one assist; Ryker Trevett, two rebounds and four assists; and Wylie Mursu, one rebound.

Milbank connected on 17-of-42 from the field for 41 percent shooting. The locals snared 26 rebounds, had 10 assists and 11 steals, blocked one shot, and committed 15 turnovers.

Madison made 46 percent of their shots from the field, hitting 26-of-56 attempts. They ended the game with 36 rebounds, 14 assists, 10 steals, and 12 turnovers.

Milbank 59 vs. Tiospa Zina 65

Milbank hosted Tiospa Zina on Friday, February 19. The Bulldogs took the loss at 59-65.  

“Tiospa Zina is an outstanding team with incredible skill,” said Coach Diede. “They play a fast-paced game and pressure their opponents, which has been one of the things we’ve struggled with most. Although we would’ve liked to take care of the ball better than we did, we battled all night long due to the other things we did right with immense toughness and energy.”

The Dawgs got out to a solid start, posting a 22-15 advantage at the end of the first quarter. Milbank then labored  to produce in the second period and saw their lead diminish to 27-26 at halftime. Tiospa Zina came out after halftime to take the lead 43-48 at the end of the third quarter. Even play ensued in the final period, but Milbank remained on the downside.

Schwenn set the pace for Milbank with 16 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Cummins followed with 15 points, three boards, three assists, and two steals. Hartman chipped in 11 points, four rebounds, and one assist. Osborn and G. Mertens were next in line with five points each. Osborn had one assist and Mertens added eight rebounds.

Also contributing for the Bulldogs were:  Trevett, four points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal; Ash, three points; Riley, three rebounds and three assists; and Karson Weber, one assist.

Milbank made 50 percent of their shots from the field, knocking down 21-of-42 attempts. The locals grabbed 29 rebounds, had 16 assists and 11 steals, and committed 23 turnovers.

Tiospa Zina hit 25-of-56 from the field for 45 percent shooting. The Wambadi finished the game with 31 rebounds, 12 assists, 22 steals, one blocked shot, and 14 turnovers.

Photo – Will Cummins