The Beresford Watchdog girls basketball team built a double-digit lead by halftime and held off the Dakota Valley Panthers for a 47-40 win on Tuesday, December 13th.
Dakota Valley started the game on a 5-0 run, but the Watchdogs responded with a 12-4 run the rest of the first quarter for a 12-9 lead. Beresford continued that momentum through the second quarter and led 29-19 at halftime. The Panthers defense held Beresford to just two points in the third quarter, and Dakota Valley cut the lead to 31-28 heading into the fourth quarter. Dakota Valley got within a point in the fourth quarter, but Ella Merriman made two big three pointers to keep the Watchdogs in front for the win.
Beresford shot 26% (14-53) from the field, 29% (4-14) from three-point area, and 79% (15-19) from the free-throw line. The Panthers were 26% (15-57) shooting overall, 16% (4-25) from three-point area, and 55% (6-11) from the free-throw line. Dakota Valley out-rebounded Beresford 40-25 in the game, but the Panthers committed 22 turnovers.
Merriman had 18 points, six rebounds, and six steals. Harley Koth finished with 13 points and eight rebounds. Lilly Sievert added five points, four rebounds, and two steals. Irelyn Fichbohm and Autumn Namminga both had four points each.
