BROOKINGS – The ‘Cats played stride for stride with one of the state’s better teams until the very end.
Top-ranked Harrisburg closed with an 11-2 run over the final three minutes to claim a 45-34 Eastern South Dakota Conference victory over Brookings on Thursday night at Bob Jostad Gymnasium.
“I thought, defensively, we played extremely well tonight,” said Bobcat head coach Lynn Frederick. “Rebounding was good for the most part, considering how we’ve matched up with Harrisburg in the past – they have been defensive battles, but we were a little bit better offensively tonight for most of the game, however, in the first half, neither team shot well.
“In the third quarter, I think we got some things going; got a little confidence; went to some mismatches which helped us. Our defense was solid the whole night; they got a couple of turnovers at the end and capitalized; got a couple of offensive boards, too – they’re the No. 1 team in the state for that particular reason, but it just goes to show you that we’ve made good progress.
“Offensively, we just continue to work and get better, but really pleased with where we’re at defensively and rebounding at this point.”
After a slow offensive start for both teams – the Tigers led 4-3 after a quarter and 14-7 at halftime – the ‘Cats came out gunning in the third quarter to tie the score at 16-16 and 20-20, and then, trailed by just four points, 27-23, heading into the final frame.
Peyton Evans’ 3-pointer pulled Brookings within 30-28 before the teams traded baskets – Jeniah Ugofsky scored in the paint for Harrisburg and Ava Burns answered with a basket for the Bobcats two possessions later to make it 32-30.
Sydney Halling drained two free throws with 4:13 to play before Carolyn Hieb matched those tosses at the 2:55 mark for a 34-32 score.
But it went downhill for the ‘Cats from there as Sadie Roth converted an old-fashioned three-point play with an offensive-rebound putback and a free throw to give Harrisburg a five-point edge.
After Brookings came up empty on its next possession, Halling scored in the lane and then Sami Slaughter went coast-to-coast after a steal to push the Tigers’ advantage to nine points, 41-32.
Baylee Tetzlaff’s basket with less than a minute left got the ‘Cats within seven, but that ended up being the final points for Brookings as Halling went 4-for-4 from the line for the 45-34 final.
Michaela Jewett led the Bobcats with 10 points and six rebounds as Hieb and Tetzlaff added seven markers apiece. Burns and Evans each chipped in with five points as Brookings dropped to 6-7 overall and 6-5 in the ESD.
Hallings’ 12 points and nine boards led the Tigers, who improved to 12-1 and 10-1 in conference play. Ugofsky added 10 points while Slaughter finished with nine.
Brookings travels to Watertown on Saturday to face the Arrows in another ESD matchup. Tip off is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. at the Civic Arena.
