The Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinals girls trailed by 14 points early in the fourth quarter to the McCook Central/Montrose Fighting Cougars. St Mary got within two points, but couldn’t quite complete the comeback at the DWU Classic on Friday, February 10th. The Cougars made enough free throws in the closing moments to hang on to a 55-48 win.
St Mary took advantage of cold shooting and turnovers by the Cougars in the first quarter. The Cardinals led 12-7 at the first quarter break. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, shots stopped falling in the second and third quarters. McCook Central/Montrose scored 19 points in the second quarter and held a 26-25 halftime lead. St Mary then scored just five points in the third quarter, and the Cougars led 41-30 going into the fourth quarter. The Cardinals made their comeback in the fourth quarter, but came up just short.
The Cardinals shot 28% (18-64) overall in the game, 23% (6-26) from the three-point area, and 6-11 from the free-throw line. McCook Central/Montrose was 39% (16-41) from the field, 36% (5-14) from three-point area, and 75% (18-24) from the free-throw line.
Madala Hanson had 18 points, six rebounds, and three steals. Ella Griffin ended with 11 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and four steals. Sydney Klein added six points, seven rebounds, four assists, and a steal. Courtney Brown, Addyson Gilbert, and Brianna Griffin all had four points each.
The Cardinals will travel to Lake Preston for a make-up game on Monday, February 14th.