Cowboys Fight Off Froid/Lake In Conference Contest

The Culbertson Cowboys came through at the end to fight off Froid/Lake, 37-35, in a tight District 2C boys’ basketball game in Culbertson on Friday, Jan. 2.

The Cowboys led by as many as five points in the fourth period, but a three-pointer by Froid/Lake’s Jake Nordlund pulled the Red Hawks even at 32-32 with 1:16 remaining.

Culbertson answered with an inside basket by Ian Snyder to put the Cowboys up, 34-32, with 56 seconds remaining.

After the Red Hawks missed from three-point land, Brooks Solem hit a pair of free throws for a 36-32 margin with 18 seconds left.

Froid/Lake kept the pressure on when Aaron Orozco connected on a three-pointer to cut the margin to 3635 with six seconds remaining.

Solem made a free throw with 3.4 seconds left, and the Red Hawks weren’t able to get off another shot.

Culbertson’s top scorers were Plenny Williams with 16 and Solem with 13 points. Snyder added six points and Cal Steppler had two.

Eddie Orozco scored 12 points to lead Froid/Lake. Also scoring were Teegan Fossum with eight and Cody Olson with five. Adding three points each were Rylan Young, Nordlund, Carson Aasheim and Carsen Kelm.

The Cowboys ended the first half with a 16-13 lead, but Froid/Lake tied the game, 1818, on a pair of free throws by E. Orozco with 2:32 remaining in the third quarter.

After a steal by Aasheim, Olson connected on two free throws. A basket by Aasheim off a pass from Olson put the Red Hawks ahead by a 22-18 margin.

Culbertson responded with the last six points of the period on five points by Solem and a free throw by Snyder for a 24-22 lead.

A layup by Steppler after a steal by Snyder increased the gap to 26-22, but Froid/ Lake took the lead on a three-pointer by Olson and a 12-footer by Fossum.

Williams accounted for six straight points to put the Cowboys in front 32-27 with 2:36 remaining.