The Dell Rapids Quarrier girls had a 10-point lead late in the third quarter, but the McCook Central/Montrose Fighting Cougars rallied and stunned the Quarriers with a 59-55 win in Dell Rapids on Tuesday, January 6th.
Fouls were the storyline of the first quarter. Each team was in the foul bonus in the first half of the quarter. With each team navigating foul trouble, the first quarter ended with a 10-10 tie. The Quarriers were able to get into an offensive groove in the second quarter. They ended the half leading 28-22.
The first part of the third quarter went back and forth. Dell Rapids continued to lead, but only by four points, 34-30, with 3:45 to go in the quarter. The Quarriers then went on a 9-3 run to extend their lead to 44-33 with :30 left. McCook Central/Montrose then scored five points before the end of the quarter to cut the lead to 43-38. That momentum carried into the fourth quarter. The Fighting Cougars tied the game 53-53 with 3:30 to go. They would finish the game on a 6-2 run for the win.
Dell Rapids shot 31% (23-75) from the field overall, 15% (4-26) from three-point area, and 50% (5-10) from the free-throw line. McCook Central/Montrose was 38% (21-56) shooting overall, 44% (7-16) on three-point shots, and 59% (10-17) from the free-throw line.
Jersi Schultz had 12 points, 11 rebounds, and three steals. Kassidee Stykel finished with 12 points. Claire Witte ended with 11 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Taylor Schmidt had six points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Rorie Thoreson had five points and six rebounds. Mya DeStigter also had five points with four rebounds.
