Scottie Girls Beat Wolves and Eagles

The Glasgow Scottie girls basketball team finished the final week of the regular season with two wins and one loss. Glasgow will enter the District 2B tournament in the second seed, below the first-seed Malta Mustangs and above the third-seed Wolf Point Wolves, who Glasgow defeated 36-33 on Friday on the road.

On Tuesday of last week, the team traveled to Glendive where they dropped a game to the Dawson County Red Devils. The home team rallied in the fourth quarter to overcome Glasgow and claim the 49-45 win. The Scotties finished the regular season Saturday night at home with 39-27 win over the Sidney Eagles.

The Scotties lost Riley Noser to a knee injury during a game in Harlem on Feb. 12, and though the senior's return date is not certain, the injury has not stopped her from leading. From her position on the bench, Noser has continued to lead and encourage her team. On the court, coach Travis Nielsen has found success with a six-player rotation, moving Daley Aune into a starting position and shifting Carly Nelson to sixth-man. "They're just playing hard and the other girls are stepping up to their roles," Nielson said.

In Glendive last Tuesday, Aune led the team in scoring with 26 points, with a 14-point performance in the second quarter. Aune and Nelson led the team in the first quarter, putting up 5 and 7 points, respectively, allowing Glendive only a 13-12 lead after eight minutes of play. Aune ushered the Scotties through the second quarter as Glasgow took a one-point lead into halftime, 28-27.

Coming out after the break, Abrianna Nielsen, Tyann Graham, Aune and Alexys Mann each put up a field goal and Aune added two from the charity line to give Glasgow the 38-33 lead going into the fourth quarter. The Red Devils came together for 16 points in the final eight minutes, while holding Glasgow to 7 points.

In addition to Aune, Nelson had 7 points, Graham 6, A. Nielsen 4 and Mann 2. A. Nielsen fouled out of the game and Nelson was close behind with four fouls. Graham had three fouls, Blaire Westby two and Mann one.

Against the Wolves Friday night, Glasgow took a 16-7 first quarter lead, powered by Graham, who put up 7 points on a three-pointer and going 4-for-4 from the line. A. Nielsen added a three and a field goal for 5 points. Wolf Point came hard in the second quarter, putting up 12 points while holding Glasgow to a single point from the charity line, to take a 19-17 lead into the half.

Glasgow battled back in the third quarter, outscoring Wolf Point 11-9 to tie the game at 28 apiece. Balanced scoring in the fourth quarter from Westby, Nelson and Mann put the Scotties up 36-33 when the final buzzer sounded.

Graham had 12 points for Glasgow, followed by A. Nielsen with 9. Aune and Mann had 5 each. Westby added 3 and Nelson 2 points Graham and Nelson had three fouls each. Nielsen, Westby and Aune had two fouls apiece.

At home on Saturday, Glasgow allowed Sidney to take a one-point lead at the end of the first quarter, 12-11, before taking control of the game. Glasgow held Sidney to a free throw in the second quarter, but only managed 4 points on their side of the court in the low-scoring game.

After the break, three Scotties hit field goals as Glasgow increased their lead to 26-20 at the end of the third. Aune sank 9 points in the final eight minutes as the home team put up 13 points and defensively held Sidney to 7 for the 39-27 victory.

Aune led the Scotties scoring with 18 points. Nelson added 7, including 3-for-4 from the line. A. Nielsen and Graham added 6 points each and Mann had 2. Aune had four fouls, followed by Mann with three. A. Nielsen, Westby and Graham were called for two fouls each.

Coach Nielsen is hoping to keep his team's momentum going into the district tournament this week, pleased with how his players have continued to improve each week. Glasgow will start the tournament with a game against the Wolf Point Wolves on Thursday, at 7 p.m. In the Poplar High School gymnasium.