ALBIA – In a game where defenses confounded the offenses, Montezuma pulled away with a 19-10 fourth quarter to take down Class 3A Albia, 48-39, in Montezuma’s regular season finale on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
The Bravettes found themselves on offense in the final quarter, knocking down four three-pointers – three by Claire Erselius, one by Ellen Cook – to take the lead and extend it.
Earlier, the quickness and closing speed of the Lady Dees had the Bravettes often looking for openings that really were not there. Montezuma was guilty of 26 turnovers.
But Montezuma found its stride about midway through the third quarter after taking the ball into post Shiressa Wetering, and she delivered, either shots or passes to open players.
That helped to create openings for Montezuma’s three-point shooters – and they delivered.
Montezuma’s own defense helped earlier by contesting just about every shot Albia put up. Claire Erselius led the team with 4 steals.
Erselius scored 16 points on 6-for-11 field goal shooting, including 4-for-nine from behind the three-point arc.
Weteriing delivered 11 points on 5-for-9 shooting. She had 8 rebounds and the boards were a team effort for the Bravettes. Syd Burgess led with 10 caroms to go with here 8 points.
Ellen Cook had 7 rebounds and scored 10 points to be the third Bravette into double figures.
All five Montezuma starters delivered assists as this game again showed the versatility and perseverence of this team.
Both teams now have identical records: 16 wins and 5 losses.
UP NEXT: The Bravettes enter Class 1A regional play Feb. 18 at home.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Montezuma 9 11 9 19 – 48
Albia 9 10 10 10 – 39
MONTEZUMA (48) – Ellen Cook 3-10, 2-5, 2, 10; Vivian Cook 1-5, 0-0, 3, 3; Syd Burgess 3-5, 2-3, 3, 8; Claire Erselius 6-11, 0-0, 1, 16; Shiressa Wetering 5-9, 1-1, 2, 11; Lauren Larmore 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. TOTALS – 18-40, 5-9, 11, 48.
Three-pointers: 7-21 (Erselius 4-9, E. Cook 2-7, V. Cook 1-5).
Turnovers: 26.
Rebounds: 34 S(Burgess 10, Wetering 8, E. Cook 7, Erselius 5, v. Cook 4).
Assists: 11 (E. Cook 3, V. Cook 3, Erselius 3, Burgess 1, Wetering 1).
Steals: 8 (Erselius 4, V. Cook 2, Larmore 1, E. Cook 1).
Blocks: 4 (E. Cook 2, Burgess 2).