Lady Bulldogs Play at Corn Palace

The Lady Bulldogs dominated the opening of their game against West Central in one of the seven matchups featured in the Fifth Annual Sacred Hoops Classic. The event was held at the Corn Palace in Mitchell on Saturday, January 4. 

Milbank put up 20 points to West Central’s nine in the first quarter. The Lady Bulldogs finished strong, too. They knocked in 14 points in the fourth  to match WC’s 14 points.  In between, it was like the Outback in Australia. No one could make it rain, and crossing that vast region sparsely populated with points cost them the game.  In the second and third quarters, the Lady Bulldogs accumulated only nine points- a  drop in the bucket compared to the Lady Trojan’s 26. Milbank, however, managed to keep their cool, keep working, and keep their fouls to a minimum. Kudos to them for also rallying in the fourth quarter to hold the damage to just six points at 49-43.

Milbank’s Isabella Anderson scored 14 points to tie for most points in the game with Ellie Knight of West Central, who hit four three-pointers. Claire Snaza added nine points for Milbank. Tyra Berry made seven points and grabbed a steal. Siera Wenzl scored six. Anna Neugebauer added four points, three rebounds, and the only block recorded in the game. Josie Riveland landed a three-point bomb.

Snaza and Belle Paulli led the Lady Bulldog’s defense. They each pulled down seven rebounds. Josie Riveland provided additional support with six rebounds.

Three West Central players finished in double figures: Knight, Raina Goehring, who was right behind Knight with 13 points; and Abbi Thornton, who scored 10 points and led the Lady Trojan’s with seven rebounds.

The  Lady Bulldogs shot 32 percent overall and 23 percent from beyond the arc. The Lady Trojans made 41 percent overall and  20 percent from long range. From the stripe, Milbank hit eight of 16 for 50 percent.  West Central was perfect from the line, but Milbank only gave them one opportunity the entire game.

Milbank–   20   7   2   14   43
WC–   9   13   13   14   49

What’s next? The lady Bulldogs will be on the road playing Britton-Hecla on Tuesday January 7.