Cowboys Win Tourney Game Against Savage
The Culbertson Cowboys made a terrific comeback in the second half to edge Savage, 49-48, during loser-out play at the Eastern C divisional tournament on Thursday, Feb. 29.
Bridger Salvevold went coast to coast for the winning basket with two seconds remaining to lift Culbertson to the victory.
The Cowboys trailed 15-9 at the end of the first quarter and by a 27-14 half-time score.
After three-pointers by Sayer Erickson put Savage ahead 33-16, Culbertson began to turn the game around on a three-pointer by Mark Kirkaldie and five straight points by Donte Eagle Boy.
While Savage struggled against Culbertson’s 2-2-1 press, the Cowboys pulled to 33-30 on two drives by Nyreece Halvorson and a basket by Salvevold.
The Warriors moved ahead 36-30 on a three-pointer by Cade Tombre, but Culbertson struck for the last seven points of the period on two baskets by Eagle Boy and a hoop by Plenny Williams after a steal by Gavin Deen for a 37-36 lead.
Savage’s Erickson opened the fourth period with two free throws, but an inside shot by Salvevold and a steal and drive by Eagle Boy gave Culbertson a 41-38 advantage.
Savage’s Zane Pilgeram canned a short jumper to cut the margin to one point. Culbertson responded with a 16-footer by Eagle Boy and a hoop by Deen off an assist from Eagle Boy for a 45-42 lead with 3:32 remaining.
A drive by Deen put the Cowboys ahead by five points, but Savage’s Erickson hit a pair of free throws with 2:06 left. Hunter Sanders scored inside to cut Culbertson’s lead to 47-46 with 44 seconds left.
The Warriors moved ahead when Sanders scored off a pass from Connor Lyons with nine seconds left. After a time-out, Salvevold went the distance to give the Cowboys the victory.
Culbertson’s top scorers were Eagle Boy with 20 and Salvevold with eight points. Also scoring were Kirkaldie with six, Deen with five, Halvorson with four, Williams with four and Dawson Bergum with two points.
Sanders led the Warriors with 13 points. Erickson finished with 12 points.
