The Tri-Valley Mustang girls didn’t feel the love from the hoop against the McCook Cental/Montrose Fighting Cougars on Monday, February 14th. The Mustangs shot just 25% (15-61) from the field and 20% (4-20) from three-point area in a 42-49 loss in their final regular season game.
The Cougars got out to a 9-2 lead in the first quarter and never trailed from that point. The Mustangs did get within a point a couple of times in the game, but couldn’t take the lead. McCook Central/Montrose led 13-6 at the end of the first quarter and 26-20 at halftime.
The Mustangs got within a point in the third quarter, 28-27, but the Cougars ended the quarter on a 7-0 run for a 35-27 lead going into the fourth quarter. Tri-Valley pulled within two points, 39-37, with 3:00 to play and had multiple chances to tie the game, but couldn’t get the shots to fall. The Mustangs did get within a point, 40-39, after two free throws by Lauren Grinde with 1:35 to go, but the Cougars scored their final nine points from the free-throw line to hang on for the win.
Paige Jewett had 15 points and two rebounds. Grinde finished with nine points, nine rebounds, two steals, and two assists. Ava Pearson added seven points, six rebounds, and four blocked shots. Mattie Huwe had six points, two rebounds, and two steals. Stephanie Buchmann had three points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
Tri-Valley’s regular season ends with an 11-9 record. The Mustangs will begin Region 3A play on Tuesday, February 22nd.