Indians Edge Fairfield In Semi-final Round

Poplar’s girls’ basketball team came from behind to edge Fairfield, 46-41, in the semi-final round of the Northern B divisional tournament in Conrad on Friday, March 1.

Fairfield struck for 10 straight points to take a 39-35 advantage with less than four minutes remaining in the semi-final round battle.

The Indians pulled to 39-37 on a drive by Braelyn Nordwick with 3:22 left. After a steal, Nordwick hit two free tosses to tie the game with 2:23 remaining. Mattie Falls Down then drove in for a hoop to put the Indians ahead 41-39 with 1:54 left.

After an exchange of free throws resulted in a 42-41 lead for Poplar, EmmaRae Martell was fouled while attempting a three-point shot. The senior hit all three free throws for a 45-41 advantage with 56 seconds remaining.

Cammie Martell sank two free throws for a 46-41 margin with only 14 seconds left. Fairfield’s next shot attempt was blocked by Nordwick with only five seconds remaining.

Falls Down led the Indians with 10 points. Nordwick and Rikki Belton scored eight points each. C. Martell and Kessee Erickson added seven points each. Also scoring were Bailey Dupree with three and E. Martell with three. The Indians trailed by a 13-12 margin at the end of the first quarter and by a 2422 half-time score.

A basket by Falls Down and a free throw by C. Martell put Poplar up 25-24 to open the third quarter.

With the game at 25-25, Erickson accounted for a threepoint play and hit a short jumper to lead Poplar to a 30-27 advantage. A steal and drive by Falls Down provided Poplar with a 32-29 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Nordwick scored three points early in the fourth quarter for a 35-29 lead, but Fairfield used a full-court press to run off the next 10 points.