Poplar Scores 64-51 Win Over Wolves During District 2B Tourney

Poplar’s boys’ basketball team earned a divisional berth by beating Wolf Point, 64-51, during the District 2B tournament in Glasgow on Friday.

The Indians led the entire game including taking a 17-4 advantage with a 10-0 run in the first quarter on five points by Kaniel Ricker, a three-pointer by Blake Lambert and an inside shot by Walker Burshia.

After trailing by a 19-7 margin at the end of the first quarter, the Wolves accounted for the first eight points of the second period on a three-pointer by Roper Flaten, a three-pointer by Richard Campbell and a basket by Zandon Calder off an assist from Sean Hamilton.

Poplar, however, came right back with the next six points on four points by Ricker and free throws by Burshia.

After Wolf Point closed the gap to 25-21 late in the half, Poplar tallied seven of the last nine points of the quarter on five points by Keilen Erickson and a drive by Wilder Bearcub for a 32-23 half-time lead.

The Indians extended the margin to 38-25 early in the third quarter on the scoring of Bushia, Beaarcub and Lambert. The outside shooting of Flaten helped Wolf Point cut the margin to 48-39 at the end of the third quarter.

After the free-throw shooting of Bearcub gave the Indians a 55-43 lead with 3:53 remaining, Hamilton scored five points and Flaten hit a three-pointer for a 55-50 game with 2:40 left. Poplar then took control on free throws by Ricker and a three-pointer by Lambert.

Leading Poplar’s attack were Ricker with 21, Bearcub with 12 and Lambert with 10. Also scoring were Burshia with eight, Erickson with seven and Dane Moran with six.

Burshia finished with 10 rebounds.

Wolf Point’s top scorers were Calder with 14, Hamilton with 13 and Flaten with 11. Rounding out the scoring were Campbell with nine and Jett Azure with four.

Azure finished with four assists and Calder grabbed eight rebounds.