Lady Bulldogs Win First Game in Region 1A Playoffs

Led by three double-digit scorers, the Lady Bulldogs bounced Webster 57-39 in their first playoff game of the 2023 Region 1A Tournament on Saturday, February 25.

Together, Maurina Street, Tyra Berry, and Isabella Anderson put 48 points through the hoops at the Milbank Armory. Street posted 18, Berry made 17, and Anderson scored 13. Josie Riveland added five more, and Claire Snaza hit four.

Webster led by two points early in the game, but the first quarter closed with Milbank ahead by three at 15-12.  The Lady Bearcats continued to fight tooth and nail, but the Lady Bulldogs took charge in the second. They increased their lead to 31-17 at the half and then led at 42-26 at the end of three.  At one point, (8:00) in the fourth quarter, Milbank led by 19. When the final buzzer sounded, Milbank claimed the victory at 57-39 and earned the chance to move on to Game 6 against Groton. 

Street led the Lady Bulldogs in rebounding. She grabbed nine. Anderson and Siera Wenzl had six. Riveland had three, and Snaza snagged two. Anderson received credit for a block. 

Snaza also nicked three steals. Wenzl, Anderson, and Berry each had two. Street and Riveland pulled off one apiece.

Webster’s Erin Case scored 10 points and got four rebounds. Harley Johnson put up nine points and three rebounds. Erin Sannes posted eight points and three rebounds. Johnson and Payton Snell each got a block. 

The Lady Bulldogs cashed in on  41 percent of their field goals, including 30 percent from 3-point range.  Anderson and Berry each buried three 3-pointers. As a team, Milbank knocked down six of their nine free throw attempts for 67 percent.  

Webster shot 32 percent from the floor, including 27 percent from beyond the arc. The Lady Bearcats also hit 67 percent of their charity shots.

In other action in Region 1 playoff games: No. 1 Sisseton (18-2)  defeated No.8 Tiospa Zina with a final score of 83-46. No. 4 Roncalli (11-9) took down No. 5 Redfield at 45-32. No. 3 Groton (13-8) defeated Waubay-Summit 55-27.

What’s next? Milbank faces Groton on Monday, February 27. The winner of the Milbank-Groton game and the winner of the game between Sisseton and Roncalli will be be pitted against each other in the championship.

Photos: -Tyra Berry dashes to the basket for an easy lay in.
– Maurina Street drops in two of her 18 points.
– Isabella Anderson led the Bulldog defense in running the full court press.
– Tony Howard served as head coach for the game.