Wolf Point Drops District Title Contest Against Malta
Wolf Point’s girls’ basketball squad put together a solid effort but lost against a strong Malta team, 51-43, in the District 2B tournament championship game in Glasgow on Saturday, Feb. 19.
The Wolves never led in the game and trailed by an 11-4 margin at the end of the opening quarter.
After the M’Ettes increased their lead to 15-5, Wolf Point’s Sierra Hamilton accounted for a three-point play with 3:40 remaining in the half.
Malta appeared in control when Addy Anderson scored on a steal and layup to put the margin at 23-8 with 1:42 left in the half.
Wolf Point then responded with a strong outburst to get back into the contest. After two free throws by Hamyanie Campbell, Jaylee Azure went coast to coast for a basket.
J’Elle Garfield scored off a pass from Azure to close the margin to 23-14.
Campbell then grabbed a loose ball and raced downcourt. Her effort resulted in a three-point play to pull the Wolves to 23-17 at the half.
Malta opened the third quarter with the first seven points on a drive by Allison Kunze, a basket by Madison Williamson and a three-pointer by Brylee French.
Josie Kolstad ended Malta’s streak with a drive with 4:51 left in the third quarter. After a hoop by Malta’s Anderson, a three-point play by Kolstad closed the margin to 32-22.
A drive by Campbell and a basket off a rebound by Hamilton got Wolf Point as close as 34-27, but Malta’s Arena Niebur fired in a three-pointer for a 37-27 score to end the third quarter.
The M’Ettes increased their advantage to 47-30 with 2:21 remaining, but the Wolves battled until the end. Two free tosses by Kaylandra St. Marks and four points by Kolstad put the margin at 47-36.
Garfield hit a three-pointer for a 49-41 score with 26 seconds remaining.
Top scorers for the Wolves were Kolstad with 12 and Campbell with 10 points. Azure added six points. Also scoring were Garfield with five, Hamilton with five, St. Marks with five and Haidyn Raining Bird with two.
Leading Malta were Kunze with 18, Williamson with 13 and Anderson with nine points.
The Northern B divisional tournament will begin on Thursday, March 3, in Cut Bank.
