Poplar Girls Upend Culbertson For Home Win

Despite a strong fight from the Culbertson Cowgirls, Poplar pulled out a 56-42 home victory on Tuesday, Jan. 28.

With Poplar ahead only a 36-33 margin entering the fourth quarter, the Cowgirls cut the margin to 36-35 on a basket by Leandra Perkins to open the fourth quarter.

The Indians then got their offense going on a three-pointer by Ashlyn Bull Chief. A basket inside by Toni Brown increased the margin to 41-35.

After a basket by Culbertson’s Ivy Colvin, the Indians took further control on a three-pointer by Saydee Archambeault, a free throw by Bull Chief, a free throw by Brown and a fast-break basket by Mattie Ayers.

Three-pointers by Cammie Martell and Ayers helped put the contest away for the Indians down the stretch.

Top scorers for the Indians were Bailey Dupree with 16 and Ayers with 10 points.

Also scoring were Martell with six, Archambault with five, Makenzie Crawford with five, Journey Gourneau with four, Bull Chief with four, Jenseya Moran with three and Brown with three.

Emma Berwick scored 10 points for the Cowgirls. Rounding out the scoring were Ator with nine, Payton Labatte with nine, Perkins with six, Kalia Featherston with two, Colvin with two and Mariana Burciaga with two.

Poplar held a 19-14 lead at the end of the first quarter and then struck for the first six points of the second period on a drive by Gourneau, a basket by Crawford off a pass from Martell and a steal and drive by Dupree.

The Cowgirls responded with nine of the the contest’s next 12 points. Baskets by Ator, off passes from Berwick and Labatte, started the streak. After a three-point play by Crawford, Ator fired in a three-pointer to pull the Cowgirls to 28-21.

Poplar ended the half with a 31-25 advantage.