Cowboys Fight Off Fairview To Open Basketball Season


In a back-and-forth battle, Culbertson edged Fairview, 43-37, to open the boys’ basketball season on Thursday, Dec. 5.
The contest was deadlocked at 27-27 late in the third quarter, but free throws by Bridger Salvevold put the Cowboys up 30-29 at the end of the period.
Fairview struck for four of the first six points of the fourth period on an inside shot by Gaige Callender along with a steal and layup by Troy Karst for a 33-32 advantage with 6:32 remaining.
A short jumper by Ian Snyder put the Cowboys back in the lead, but a fast-break hoop by Tyler Loan gave Fairview a 35-34 advantage.
After a free throw by Salvevold pulled Culbertson even, a layup by Dawson Bergum moved the Cowboys ahead with 2:41 left in the contest. Gavin Deen then hit a free throw for a 38-35 advantage with 1:28 left.
A blocked shot by Mark Kirkaldie was a defensive highlight for the Cowboys. Culbertson took a five-point lead when Bergum scored off a steal by Deen with 40 seconds on the clock. Fairview’s Deacon Gackle connected on a pair of free tosses for a 40-37 game with 34 seconds remaining, but free throws by Kirkaldie helped the Cowboys put the game away.
Plenny Williams was Culbertson’s top scorer with 10 points. Deen finished with nine points and Salvevold added seven. Also scoring were Bergum with six, Kirkaldie with five and Snyder with two points.
The Cowboys opened the game with the first nine points a three-pointer by Williams, two baskets by Deen and a drive by Bergum. Fairview responded with the last 11 points of the quarter for an 11-9 lead. Loan scored four of the points.
The Warriors scored the first five points of the second period, but the scoring of Williams helped the Cowboys keep things close at 18-16. A free throw by Salvevold and an inside basket by Snyder put Culbertson ahead 19-18 with 2:52 left in the half.
After Fairview’s Troy Karst hit a 14-footer, the Cowboys scored on baskets by Salvevold and Deen for a 2320 half-time advantage.