In its final game of the regular season, the girls’ basketball team lost a Midwest Classic Conference North game to Brookfield Academy by a 39-20 score Thursday night at BA.
The Blue Knights established dominance early in the contest. They used an almost despotic man-to-man defense against the Wildcats, allowing USM only 1 point in the first quarter, a free throw by senior Lauren Schwieters. The Blue Knights also worked hard to get the ball underneath to their forwards. They forced the Wildcats to foul them, and they took advantage of the opportunities, sinking 6 of 7 attempts from the foul line. Junior Paige Pichler sank 4 free throws and scored on a field goal to lead BA in the quarter. Freshman Kourtney Krohn also put through 2 free throws. Junior Emily Rauh had 2 points and senior Catherine Toledo drained a three-point shot to give BA a commanding 13-1 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter was more even as USM’s defense was tighter and its shooters began to make baskets. BA still won the quarter, 8-6. Krohn scored 4 points, senior Catherine Courchaine scored 2 points and Toledo sank 2 more free throws. USM had 3 points apiece from junior Alexis Lindsey and freshman Kendall Youngblood.
The third quarter was similar to the second. The two teams played evenly, each scoring 8 points in the eight-minute time frame. USM kept the blue Knights outside, so Toledo sank 2 more three-pointers for BA. Junior Elizabeth Collins had the Blue Knights’ other 2 points in the period. Lindsey and Schwieters each had 4 points for USM.
Winning 29-15 going into the final quarter, BA made sure it would win the full game by outscoring USM 10-5 in the fourth quarter. The Blue Knights scored on two field goals by junior Madeline Stiegerwald and one each by Courcharaine, Pichler and Krohn. BA’s defense limited USM to one field goal each by Schweiters and junior Catie Downey and a free throw Lindsey.
In the game Toledo led the scoring with 11 points for BA. Pichler and Krohn each scored 8 points; Stiegerwald and Courchaine both had 4 points; and Rauh and Collins each contributed 2 points to the Blue Knights’ cause. Lindsey led USM with 8 points; Schwieters put in 7 points; Youngblood scored 3 points; and Downey scored 2 points for the Wildcats.
BA heads into the state tournament playoffs with a 10-12 record and an 8-8 conference mark. USM is now 5-16 overall, and it ended its conference play with a 3-13 record. The Wildcats are seeded 8th in their Regional in the WIAA Division 3, Sectional 4 state tournament playoffs. They host number 9 seed Palmyra-Eagle in a Regional game on Tuesday, March 8th at 7:00 p.m.
Editor's Note: Thomas Geilfuss is the sports information coordinator for USM.
