MONROE – The PCM Mustang girls brought a modest 7-8 record into Thursday’s clash against Montezuma.
But remember, they’re a Class 2A school, up a class from the Bravettes. And, the Mustangs came in hot, having won their previous three games.
It took the Bravette firefighters a quarter to cool off their opponent.
After PCM’s 14-4 start in the first quarter, it was Montezuma’s game.
The Bravettes outscored PCM 50-31 over the final three periods of a 54-45 win. That included 38-16 during the two middle quarters.
“We started the game off with very poor shooting, but our defense was very tough throughout,” said Bravettes Coach Janel Burgess.
PCM shot .419 for the game. The Bravettes were at .373 and took eight more shots. Montezuma won the board battle, 33-26.
Montezuma took its record out to 15-1.
“This was a tremendous game for us,” Burgess said. “PCM is long and did a great job attacking us downhill.”
Regan Freland, 5-10, scored 16 points and had four assists for the Mustangs. Lilli Baird, 5-7, scored 15. And 5-11 Kate McCarthy grabbed nine rebounds.
But the Bravettes countered with 23 from Shateah Wetering and 15 points from Elise Boulton.
“I absolutely loved the gritty, blue collar defense we displayed throughout the game. It was awesome!” Burgess said.
Elise Boulton splashed down five three-pointers.
Maddy McKeag continued her fine play with six points, five assists, four rebounds, a steal and a deflection.
Dylan Holland had nine rebounds for the Bravettes and Shelby Conger had six.
Shateah Wetering’s game included four steals, a couple of rebounds, a deflection and a blocked shot.
Mia Boulton snagged four rebounds and had two deflections.
“We missed some wide-open shots early on, but as the game progressed, our ball movement was very effective, which is why we shot well the final three quarters,” Burgess said.
UP NEXT – Montezuma plays at HLV Friday evening, Jan. 31.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Montezuma 4 16 22 12 – 54
PCM 14 6 10 15 – 45
MONTEZUMA (54) – Maddy McKeag 2-10, 0-0, 2, 6. Shanae Wetering 0-1, 0-2, 1, 0. Mia Boulton 0-2, 0-0, 0, 0. Shateah Wetering 9-16, 4-6, 2, 23. Elise Boulton 6-15, 2-2, 0, 15, Carissa Van Zee 0-2, 0-0, 0, 0. Shelby Conger 0-1, 1-2, 2, 1. Dylan Holland 2-4, 1-3, 2, 5. TOTALS – 19-51, 8-15, 7, 54.
PCM (45)
TOTALS – 18-43, 5-6, 15, 45.
Line score legend: Field goals made-attempted, free throws made-attempted, personal fouls, total points.
Turnovers: Montezuma 13, PCM 19.
Rebounds: Montezuma 33 (Holland 9, Conger 6, McKeag 4, M. Boulton 4, E. Boulton 4, Shan. Wetering 3, Shat. Wetering 2, Van Zee 1); PCM 26.
Three-point goals: Montezuma 8-34 (E. Boulton 5, McKeag 2, Shat. Wetering 1); PCM 4-13.
Assists: McKeag 5, M. Boulton 2, Conger 2, Shan. Wetering 1, Shat. Wetering 1, E. Boulton 1.
Steals: Shat. Wetering 4, Conger 2, McKeag 1, E. Boulton 1, Van Zee 1, Holland 1.
Deflections: M. Boulton 2, E. Boulton 2, Conger 2, McKeag 1, Shan. Wetering 1, Shat. Wetering 1.
Blocks: Shan. Wetering 1, Shat. Wetering 1, Conger 1.