Cowgirls Score Semi-final Win Over MonDak

The Culbertson Cowgirls came from behind to nip MonDak, 47-44, in the semi-final round of the District 2C tournament in Sidney on Friday, Feb. 17.

“It was a tough game,” Culbertson Coach Colby Mc-Ginnis said. “The girls really battled. I’m super proud of them.”

The Cowgirls were down 43-41 late when Megan Granbois accounted for a threepoint play to put Culbertson ahead to stay.

Culbertson’s defense held the Thunder down the stretch. Two free throws by Alicyn Ator produced the 4744 final margin.

After trailing 9-8 at the end of the first quarter, Culbertson fell behind 14-8 during the second quarter. A basket off a rebound by Perla Burciaga closed the margin to 14-10 at the half.

Culbertson came out shooting much better in the third quarter. A three-pointer by Makena Hauge and a baseline shot by Alicyn Ator tied the game at 19-19.

After MonDak’s Emma Smart connected on one of her five three-pointers, Granbois tied the game with a three-point play. A three-pointer by Destiny Thompson and two free tosses by Hauge put Culbertson up 32-30 to end the third quarter.

The long-range shooting of Smart put the Thunder back in the lead during the fourth period. A free throw by Kiarra Brunelle put MonDak ahead 37-36 with four minutes to play.

A shot from the top of the key by Hauge and a free throw by Burciaga put the Cowgirls ahead, but a pair of free throws by Erika Christian gave MonDak a 43-41 advantage.

Culbertson’s top scorers were Hauge with 16 and Thompson with 11 points. Granbois added nine points and grabbed 14 rebounds.

Also scoring were Burciaga with seven and Alicyn Ator with four points. Hauge finished the contest with six assists.

Leading MonDak were Smart with 15, Brunelle with 11 and Christian with 10 points.

Katelynn Folvag had four assists for the Thunder.