Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Wolverettes post win against Bismarck; Wolves fall short, 60-50, versus Lions

For three quarters it was a close game, but the Wolverettes pulled away from Bismarck in the fourth period for a 44-33 win.

This avenged a loss at Bismark last week.

The Lady Lions won the opening tip, only to have the ball stolen and the game's first points scored by Prescott.

However, Bismarck responded with a three pointer to take the lead at 3-2.

As has been the case this season, the Wolverettes had problems getting the ball to fall, and out rebounded their opponent getting several second chance opportunities.

The officials called the game tight, but made their presence felt with some questionable calls throughout the contest. Consistency in officiating was lacking all night.

This made it tough for both teams, as the players had no idea what they could get away with at any given time.

The game was close throughout the first eight minutes, with Prescott leading most of the way, though Bismarck did manage to tie the game at 8-8 with 3:17 left.

The period ended with Prescott leading 12-9.

Bismarck tied the game at the outset of the second quarter with a trey, and built a 16-12 lead as the Wolverettes had gone cold from the field.

However, Prescott battled back, tying the game at 16-16 with 2:02 left in the half, and went to the locker room at intermission leading 20-18.

Early in the third, it was a bucket swapping contest, with Bismarck scoring first. The Wolverettes took control and pushed their lead to 30-23, only to see the Lady Lions fight back and cut the lead to 32-31at the end of the frame.

This was possible because Tammy Harris was on the bench with four fouls, and was needed down the stretch.

Harris got back into the game in the fourth quarter, and it was all Prescott from there on out.

The Wolverettes outscored Bismarck 12-2 in the frame, shutting down the Lady Lion offense, and forcing their opponents to foul late.

The Wolverettes were nearly perfect from the charity stripe, as they converted 13 of 16. Bismarck shot 50 percent from the line, netting six of 12.

Harris was the game's leading scorer with 23 points.

Nikki Arthur led Bismarck with 10.

WOLVES 50

LIONS 60

Actually, the less said about this game, the better.

The Wolves had the talent to beat Bismarck, but lacked the cohesion the Lions had. In essence, it was five guys against a team, with the team posting a 60-50 win.

Bismarck was methodical in its attack early on, building a 9-2 lead as the Wolves had problems finding the bottom of the bucket.

Throughout the game, the Wolves had problems scoring as the ball bounced all over and around the rim.

Joe Steuart proved to be Prescott's offense in the first quarter scoring six of the team's 10 points.

Bismarck, though, led 22-10 at the end of one, as the Lions worked their offense to near perfection and were able to put the ball in the hole.

Prescott began pressing in the second period in an attempt to disrupt Bismarck's game plan. It worked, somewhat, with the Wolves cutting the lead to 22-16 with 6:11 showing.

Close was the best the Wolves could do as the Lions had an answer for everything Prescott tried.

Halftime arrived with the Lions leading 29-23.

Period three saw Prescott outscored 18-10, as the Lions began pulling away.

Prescott managed to get within five, at 36-31, only to see the Lions go on an 11-2 run the last four minutes of the third.

The Lions were far from perfect. In fact, late in the third, Bismarck players got sloppy with their passes, which resulted in turnovers.

When the buzzer sounded, Bismarck led 47-33.

Prescott stole a Lion pass and scored to open the fourth quarter, only to see Bismarck respond with a three-pointer.

For the first half of the quarter, the Lions stayed almost 20 points ahead. The Wolves fought back late to cut the lead to 10 at the end of the game.

Most of the final minute was played at the line as the Wolves fouled to stop the clock.

Steuart led all scorers with 27. Jason Butler added 14 for Prescott.

Ryan Thornton paced Bismarck with 19. Richard Weatherford added 16, while James Weatherford scored 13.

The Wolves were eight of 12 at the line, while Bismarck sank 12 of 21 free throws.