Cowboys Lose Close Game To Fusion

The Culbertson Cowboys lost a tough 49-48 contest at home against the Richey/ Lambert Fusion on Saturday, Feb. 5.

The conference contest was deadlocked at 22-22 after two quarters of play.

Culbertson accounted for 18 points in the third quarter to gain a 40-36 advantage.

A drive by James Kirkaldie put the Cowboys up 44-36 with 6:44 remaining in the game. The Fusion scored the next seven points, including four by Grady Gonsioroski, to close the margin to 44-43.

Culbertson’s Colin Avance drove in for a basket to put the Cowboys ahead by three points.

Another drive by Avance produced a 48-43 lead with 1:17 remaining.

Brett Mullin scored off a rebound to cut the gap to 48-45 with 1:02 left. After a steal by Nick Engesser, Gonsioroski scored to pull the Fusion to 48-47 with 35 seconds left.

The Fusion went ahead on an inside shot by Gonsioroski with five seconds remaining.

Culbertson’s top scorers were Avance with 12 and Maurice Bighorn with 11 points.

Also scoring for the Cowboys were Isaiah Bighorn with nine, Payton Perkins with eight, Kirkaldie with six and Bridger Salvevold with two.

Gonsioroski led the Fusion with 20 points.

The Cowboys will travel to Brockton on Friday, Feb. 11, and host Bainville on Saturday, Feb. 12.