The Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinal girls dropped their opening-round game of the Dakota Valley Conference tournament to the Elkton/Lake Benton Elks 45-26 on Tuesday, January 19th, at Dell Rapids St Mary High School.
The Cardinals opened up the game with an early 4-2 lead in the first minute of the game, but the Elks out scored the Cardinals 10-2 the rest of the first quarter to take a 12-6 lead at the first break. Elkton/Lake Benton then held St Mary to just two points in the second quarter to extend their lead to 27-8 at halftime.
St Mary’s defense held the Elks to just four points in third quarter, and the Cardinals closed the gap to 31-18 by the end of the third quarter. The Cardinals cut the lead to 12 points a couple of times in the fourth quarter, but the Elks pulled away late in the game for the win.
The Cardinals finished the night shooting just 23% (8-35) from the field, 33% (2-6) from three-point area, and 80% (8-10) from the free-throw line. St Mary had a total of 30 team rebounds, but turned the ball over 20 times.
Jackie Wolles finished the game with 14 points, two steals, and two rebounds in the game. Sydney Cook had five points, four rebounds, and two assists. Kennedi Mullaney tossed in four points and grabbed seven rebounds. Lexi Klein had six rebounds.
The Cardinals (2-8) will play Colman/Egan in the consolation round of the DVC tournament on Friday, January 22nd, at St Mary High School. The game can be seen on Big Sioux Media.