Poplar Falls Against Malta In District 2B Basketball Action

Malta’s boys’ basketball squad put together an impressive effort to defeat Poplar, 71-38, in District 2B action on Friday, Jan. 19.

Malta led by only an 11-7 margin at the end of the first quarter, and a three-pointer by Poplar’s Delray Lilley pulled the Indians to 11-10 at the start of the second period.

Kaniel Ricker connected on a three-pointer for a 13-13 deadlock with 7:05 left in the half. After Malta’s Duke Williamson hit a free throw, Poplar’s Cetan Growing Thunder scored off a pass from Lilley for a 15-14 lead.

Malta then struck for 18 straight points as the Indians struggled against defensive pressure. Bohdi Brenden scored eight of the points.

The Mustangs held a 3517 half-time advantage. The Mustangs scored 14 points in the third quarter for a 49-27 lead.

Malta went on to lead 56-29 with 5:46 remaining. Growing Thunder hit consecutive shots, but Malta’s Brenden responded with a three-pointer.

Poplar’s top scorers were Ricker and Growing Thunder with seven points each. Lilley and Geordy Medicine Cloud added six points each.

Also scoring for Poplar were Kameron Reum with four, Walker Burshia with four, Wilder Bearcub with two and Keilen Erickson with two.

Leading Malta were Brenden with 25, Treyton Wilke with 12 and Williamson with eight points.