The Tri-Valley Mustang girls basketball team played on back-to-back nights to start the 2020-2021 season. Tri-Valley traveled to Garretson on Friday, December 11th, and then hosted Sisseton on Saturday, December 12th.
The Mustangs and Garretson Blue Dragons played a tight game all night long. Garretson kept a small lead through most of the game. The Blue Dragons led 19-15 at the end of the first quarter. The Mustangs cut into the lead by a point by halftime as Garretson held a 29-26 lead.
Things seemed to be going in favor of Garretson in the third quarter. They were able to push the lead to 10 points at 40-30 with 1:45 to play in the third quarter. Tri-Valley ended the quarter on a 5-2 run to cut the lead to 35-42 heading into the final quarter. The Mustangs were able to get the game within two points at 52-54 with 2:28 to play. Blayne Gacke tied the game from the free-throw line with :59 to go, but Lizzie Olson made the game-winning basket with :18 to go to give Garretson the win.
Tabor Teel led the Mustangs with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Gacke had 10 points. Paige Jewett finished with nine points and three steals. Lauren Grinde had four points and seven rebounds.
Tri-Valley hosted Sisseton on Saturday. The Mustangs put together a strong defensive performance on their way to a 60-32 victory.
An 8-0 offensive run to start the game got the Mustangs going. The defense made sure they would never trail in the game. Tri-Valley led 16-11 at the end of the first quarter. The Mustangs then used a 13-2 run in the second quarter to build a 33-19 halftime lead. Tri-Valley only allowed 13 total points in the second half on the way to the victory.
Teel again led the team with 15 points, eight steals, and seven rebounds. Jewett added 10 points and four steals. Steph Buchmann and Kaitlyn Mohnen both had seven points each. Gacke finished the game with five rebounds.
Tri-Valley (1-1) will host the Madison Bulldogs on Tuesday, December 15th.