Wolf Point Boys Open Tournament With Victory Over Poplar, 58-46

Wolf Point put together a strong defensive effort and stopped Poplar, 58-46, in the first round of the District 2B boys’ basketball tournament in Wolf Point on Thursday, Feb. 25.

After falling behind 7-2 early, the Wolves went ahead to stay when senior Zander Ackerman accounted for eight straight points, including two three-pointers, for a 10-7 lead. Poplar’s Dennis Red Eagle scored for the Indians, but drives by Ackerman and Gaige Bushman put the Wolves up 14-9. Ackerman then hit a pair of free tosses for a seven-point advantage.

Poplar’s Joe Bear connected on a three-pointer to pull the Wolves to 16-12 to end the quarter.

A three-pointer by Bushman put the Wolves back ahead by seven points in the second quarter.

Poplar’s Wilfred Lambert accounted for a three-point play, but Wolf Point’s Antone Manning then hit a turnaround shot for a 24-18 halftime advantage.

The Indians were able to fight back to 24-23 on a basket by Bear and a three-pointer by Delrae Lilley to open the third quarter, but Wolf Point responded with consecutive drives by Ackerman and Bushman.

The Wolves increased their lead to 33-25 on a basket by Manning, a drive by Corey Martell and a free throw by Kraven Silk.

Wolf Point held a 41-29 advantage at the end of the third quarter, A three-pointer by Bushman and pull-up jumper by Ackerman helped the Wolves increase the lead to 50-35 with 2:32 remaining.

Poplar battled back to 52-41 on three-pointers by Geordy Medicine Cloud and Lilley. A free throw by Red Boy and a three-pointer by Medicine Cloud led the Indians back to 55-45 with 40 seconds left.

Bushman then hit three free throws to put the contest away.

Wolf Point’s top scorers were Ackerman with 20 and Bushman with 18 points. Also scoring were Manning with eight, Martell with seven, Silk with three and Kelby Bauer with two.

Leading Poplar were Bear with 10, Red Eagle with 10 and Lilley with nine.

Rounding out the scoring were Medicine Cloud with seven, Lambert with three and Inyan Growing Thunder with two.