Poplar Edges Cowboys In Non-Conference Play
In a game that went down to the wire, Poplar’s boys’ basketball team came away with a 61-57 non-conference win over Culbertson on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
A drive to end the third quarter by Wilder Bearcub put Poplar ahead by a 4338 advantage. Blake Lambert then connected on a three-pointer to increase the gap to 46-38 to open the final period.
The Cowboys battled back with the next eight points. Dawson Bergum scored on an inbounds play to start the rally. After a basket by Mark Kirkaldie, Brooks Solem drove in for a hoop at the 6:19 mark. A fast-break basket by Bergum tied the game at 46-46 with 5:46 to play.
The Indians regained the lead on a three-pointer by Kaniel Ricker. After a free throw by Culbertson’s Bridger Salvevold, Walker Burshia was successful inside for a 5147 Poplar lead.
Dane Moran then fired in a three-pointer to give the Indians a 54-47 cushion with 4:30 remaining.
The Cowboys, however, refused to go away. Solem hit a pair of free throws and Kirkaldie scored on a drive for a 54-51 game with three minutes to play.
After Poplar’s Keilen Erickson connected from threepoint range, two free throws by Solem closed the margin to 57-53. Solem, a sophomore, then went coast to coast for a basket to pull the Cowboys to 57-55.
Poplar kept the upper-hand on an inside basket by Burshia with 56 seconds left. Salvevold scored off a pass from Gavin Deen with 40 seconds remaining, but a pair of free throws by Ricker put the contest away, 61-57, with only nine seconds left.
Leading Poplar’s attack were Erickson with 15, Lambert with 11 and Burshia with 11 points. Also scoring were Bearcub with nine, Moran with eight and Ricker with seven.
Culbertson’s top scorers were Kirkaldie with 16, Plenny Williams with 12, Solem with 12 and Salvevold with 11. Rounding out the scoring were Bergum with four and Deen with two.
Ahead by a 24-22 margin, the Indians finished the first half with seven of the final nine points including four by Erickson for a 31-24 half-time advantage.
