For about two and a half quarters, the Tri-Valley Mustangs (5-9) controlled the game against the West Central Trojans. The Trojans, however, put together two big runs late in the second half to take a 53-46 win on Tuesday, January 31st.
The Mustangs handled the West Central pressure in the first half and shot the ball well in the first two had a half quarters. Tri-Valley built an 18-13 lead by the end of the first quarter. The lead remained five points at halftime, 30-25. The Mustangs extended their lead to double digits, 38-27, with 5:45 to go in the third quarter. That’s when West Central went on their first run. They went on an 11-0 run and tied the game 38-38. The third quarter ended in a 40-40 tie. The two teams were again tied 44-44, and then the Trojans finished the game on a 9-2 run for the win.
Tri-Valley finished the game shooting 43% (17-40) from the field, 54% (7-13) on three-point attempts, and 45% (5-11) from the free-throw line. West Central shot 34% (21-62) overall, 18% (5-28) from three-point area, and 50% (6-12) from the free-throw line.
Lauren Grinde had 18 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Mattie Huwe had nine points. Ava Pearson finished with seven points, 15 rebounds, and four blocked shots. Hailey Sorenson also had seven points. Steph Buchmann ended with five points, three rebounds, and three assists.
