GIRLS BASKETBALL VS HLOF

HLOF 57 - MCC 52

The Murray County Central Rebel Girls Basketball team was on the road on Friday night playing the Heron Lake Okabena Fulda Coyotes in a Red Rock Conference matchup. The Rebels beat the Coyotes by six points in Slayton earlier this season. The two teams have had similar seasons, with the Rebels 6-10 on the season and the Coyotes entering the game at 6-12. This game would highlight both teams’ strengths and weaknesses, as the Coyotes outplayed the Rebels most of the game. The Rebels made a run over the final two minutes to make it a game, but it would be the Coyotes to get their seventh win of the season.

The Rebels have struggled to score consistently this season, but their defense and rebounding has been solid as has their ball control. Friday, the Rebels had struggles at times with every part of the game. The Coyotes outrebounded them, forcing them into 27 turnovers, and found open shots to score points. The Rebels led 9 to 8 early in the first half, but that would be the last time the Rebels led the game. MCC scored just 17 first half points with Taylor Larson scoring 6 points, Thea Schneider 5, and Kate Blankenship 4. The Coyotes got nine points from Renae Salentiny and 8 points from Ashton Reierson to match the entire Rebels roster. HLOF led at the half 26 to 17.

The Coyotes and the Rebels struggled with their turnovers but it seemed like most of the game the Rebels’ turnovers led to points. When the Coyotes turned the ball over, it led to Rebel turnovers. In the second half, the Coyotes would maintain a ten or eleven point lead most of the half. The Rebels cut the deficit to 6 points on a couple occasions, but struggled to get closer. With a couple minutes left, the Rebels were down by 10. The Coyotes turnovers led to a Rebel run. Ava Deacon hit a pair of three point shots and Thea Schneider scored four points. MCC got within a couple points. The Rebels missed an open breakaway layup on a great steal, but the Coyotes extended the lead with free throws. With just over 8 seconds to play, the Rebels allowed Ashton Reierson to catch an inbound pass and get by the Rebel defense before they could foul. She then was fouled from behind for an intentional foul. Reierson made one of two free throws. The Coyotes would seal the win, 57 to 52.

The Coyotes picked up their 7th win of the season by out hustling the Rebels on the offensive glass which created more shots and more fouls on the Rebels. MCC turned the ball over 27 times compared to the Coyotes 23. The Rebels shot a better percentage from the field than HLOF, 30% to 26% but the Coyotes made 7 more free throws than the Rebels, which was huge in a 5 point game. Thea Schneider led the Rebels with 16 points and Ava Deacon scored 10. The Coyotes leading scorer was Ashton Reierson with 17 points, 11 coming on made free throws. Renae Salentiny scored 16. The Rebels will be in action on Monday night in Wabasso.