Lady Bulldogs take conference win over Central; lose by a point to Bloomer

By Kelsie Hoitomt

The Lady Bulldogs hosted St. Croix Central last Friday night and won 61-34. They then were back on the court in Bloomer on Monday evening where they lost by a point in a 50-49 final.

Sweet victory 

The Lady Bulldogs advanced themselves to a 6-3 record in the Dunn-St. Croix Conference after beating the 2-7 Central Panthers.

“Other than poor free throw shooting, it was a great game by the entire team,” said coach Jolene Bird of the game. “We played solid defense and utilized good offensive possessions.”

The Bulldogs jumped out to a six point lead over the Panthers right away in the first quarter after they posted 12 points over Central’s six.

Getting the Bulldogs on the board was Cassie Malean who had a three, April Lake had two doubles and a free throw and Abbey Bird and Madysn Riek each had a double as well.

The Bulldogs only grew stronger on offense as the game went on with 15 points posted in the second quarter, 16 in the third and 18 in the fourth.

There was a 17 point difference in the score at the half as the Bulldogs were leading 27-10 after the Panthers scored just two baskets for four points in the second.

Morgan Kuhn came alive in the second quarter as well with two doubles and a triple banked in off the glass for seven of the team’s 15 points.

Out of the locker room, it was Riek who took charge under the net with three doubles scored. Bird, Shyanne Marlett and Kennedy Hellmann each had a double as well.

The Bulldogs had their best performance at the foul line in the third as well going four for four after Lake, Hellmann and Marlett dropped the ball in.

The score was 43-19 going into the fourth quarter. The Panthers stepped up their shooting with 15 points scored, however it was too late into the game and the Bulldog’s 18 additional points sealed the victory at 61-34.

Bird helped pushed the team through to victory in the fourth after she put down two triples and a double. Kuhn, Riek and Alexa Peterson each had a double of their own and Malean and Hellmann contributed with two free throws a piece.

The Bulldogs finished with 19 doubles, four triples and 11 free throws made out of 21 attempts.

It was Bird who led the team in points with 17 from five doubles, two triples and one free throw. Riek followed with ten from her five doubles.

Kuhn had nine from three doubles and one triple. Lake had eight from four free throws and two doubles. Hellmann had seven from three free throws and two doubles. Malean had five from her one triple and two free throws. Marlett had one double and one free throw and Peterson had the one double.

Next on the schedule for the Bulldogs will be a game this Thursday (Feb. 6) at home against the  Glenwood City Hilltoppers starting at 7:30 p.m. They will then be in Mondovi next Tuesday, February 11.