Cowgirls Rally To Beat Thunder

The Culbertson Cowgirls’ hard-working attitude paid off in the end as Culbertson came back for a 41-38 home win over MonDak on Friday, Jan. 9.

The Cowgirls trailed early in the game including by a 12-4 margin at the end of the opening quarter and a 17-13 score at the half.

MonDak was able to increase its lead to eight points early in the third quarter on the scoring of Abby Lowes.

Culbertson kept battling as a 16-footer by Payton Labatte and two free throws by Leandra Perkins cut the gap to 21-17.

The Thunder enjoyed a six-point advantage until a basket by Kalia Featherston, after a steal by Bella Petersen, and a free throw by Perkins put the score at 25-22.

Culbertson ended the quarter on a strong note as a drive by Featherston and a 14-footer by Emma Berwick pulled the Cowgirls to 29-28 at the end of the third quarter.

The Cowgirls opened the fourth period with the hot hand. A 17-footer by Ivy Colvin, a three-pointer by Labatte and a 16-footer by Ayden Ator produced a 35-29 advantage with 5:28 remaining.

The Thunder stormed back with the next six points including a three-point play by Abni Carns that tied the game, 35-35, with 1:37 to play.

Culbertson’s freshman Charity Wilbanks stepped up with a steal and drive for a 3735 lead with 1:05 remaining. MonDak struck right back with a pull-up jumper by Evelynn Lowes with 31 seconds left.

The Cowgirls took the lead for good when Colvin drove in for a basket with 20 seconds left to put the margin at 39-37.

MonDak cut the gap to 3938 on a free throw by E. Lowes with 12 seconds left.

The Cowgirls then committed a turnover, but Colvin intercepted a pass. The senior’s assist to Emma Berwick gave the Cowgirls a 4138 victory.

Berwick led the Cowgirls with 10 points. Adding six points each were Featherston, Labatte, Colvin and Wilbanks. Also scoring were Perkins with four, Ator with two and Anna Steppler with one.

Leading the Thunder were A. Lowes with 16, Carns with nine and E. Lowes with eight.