Cowboys Place Third At District 2C Tournament

The Culbertson Cowboys took control in the second half to defeat MonDak, 56-44, in the third-place game of the District 2C tournament in Sidney on Saturday.

The Cowboys struggled with a slow start as MonDak held a 15-6 lead at the end of the first quarter and a 19-16 half-time advantage.

MonDak opened the third quarter with hoops by Thomas Arnson and TC Swenson to gain a 23-16 lead.

Culbertson responded with the next eight points on six points by Bridger Salvevold and a basket off a rebound by Mark Kirkaldie to grab a 24-23 advantage.

A three-pointer by Swenson regained the lead for the Thunder, but the Cowboys went ahead to stay on an inside shot by Kirkaldie and four points by Salvevold.

After another three-pointer by Swenson cut the gap to 30-29, the Cowboys ran off the last 12 points of the period on four baskets by Gavin Deen and two inside shots by Salvevold.

The Cowboys struck for the first five points of the fourth period on a basket by Deen off a pass from Plenny Williams, two free tosses by Kirkaldie and a free throw by Salvevold.

Culbertson led by as many as 23 points in the fourth period.

Top scorers for the Cowboys were Salvevold with 21, Kirkaldie with 19 and Deen with 10 points. Ian Snyder had four and Brooks Solem had two points.

Kirkaldie grabbed 13 rebounds in the game. Salvevold finished with four assists and three steals.

Arnson led the Thunder with 10 points. Dilan Wade and Draygen Buchler had nine points each.

Plentywood defeated Savage in the district title game by a 72-26 final.