Circle Ends Cowboys’ Season

The Culbertson Cowboys saved their best for last as they put together a solid game before losing to Circle, 45-37, in a District 2C tournament play-in game held in Culbertson on Saturday, Feb. 13.

Culbertson entered the third quarter down by a 35-28 margin, but three straight points by Hunter Lucas pulled the Cowboys to 35-31 with still 2:46 to play.

Circle’s dry offensive spell ended on two free throws by Hayden Lockie with 2:24 remaining. The Cowboys were hit with a hard blow when Lucas, who carried the Cowboys offensively most of the night, fouled out.

The Cowboys were able to keep the heat on with a drive and free throw by James Kirkaldie, but two free throws by Beau Beery put the Wildcats up 40-34 with 58 seconds remaining.

A three-pointer by Payton Perkins kept the Cowboys’ hopes alive at 40-37. Circle, however, tallied the final five points on a free throw by Arley Idland, two free tosses by Jace Curtiss and a basket by Lockie during the game’s final 39 seconds.

Lucas, a 6-5 senior, led the Cowboys with 19 points. Also scoring for Culbertson were Perkins with seven, Kirkaldie with five, Maurice Bighorn with three and Isaiah Bighorn with three.

Top scorers for Circle were Lockie with 17, Caleb Gackle with 11 and Idland with nine.

The Wildcats jumped out to a 7-1 advantage and led by a 13-6 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

After a three-point play by Gackle helped the Wildcats gain a 21-10 lead midway into the second period, the Cowboys responded with a threepoint play by Lucas and a drive by Perkins.

A basket by Lucas and a short jumper by Perkins pulled Culbertson to 24-19 at the half.

A three-pointer by Jace Curtiss put Circle up 33-24 with 3:43 left in the third quarter. Hoops by Kirkaldie and Lucas pulled Culbertson to 35-28 at the end of the third quarter.