Cowboys Open Tourney With Victory

The Culbertson Cowboys opened the District 2C basketball tournament by defeating MonDak, 49-35, in Sidney on Monday, Feb. 13.

The Cowboys will face top-seeded Fairview at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16.

Culbertson never trailed against MonDak and opened the game with a three-pointer by Mo Bighorn. Four points by Colin Avance helped the Cowboys earn a 14-7 lead at the end of the first period.

Culbertson accounted for a 7-0 run late in the second period on two baskets by Bridger Salvevold and a three-pointer by Peyton Perkins. MonDak fought back to 27-20 with six free throws, but a four-play play by Peyton Perkins put Culbertson up 3120 at the half.

The Cowboys then opened the third quarter with six straight points on drives by Salvevold, Perkins and Avance. Culbertson ended the period with a 39-22 lead.

The scoring of Avance and Donte Eagle Boy led the Cowboys to a 45-25 advantage. MonDak got the margin down to as low as 10 points.

Culbertson’s top scorers were Avance with 17 and Salvevold with 12 points. Also scoring were Perkins with seven, Bighorn with five, Eagle Boy with four, Justice Bengochea with two and Mark Kirkaldie with two points.

Other leaders included Salvevold with three stals and Bengochea with seven rebounds.

Adam Paine led the Thunder with 13 points.