MONTEZUMA – Montezuma repaired certain areas of its game after its season-opening loss to North Mahaska.
But Pella Christian provided some new problems and prevailed over the Bravettes, 68-54, in Montezuma’s home opener on Tuesday, Nov. 26.
One was rebounding, where the Eagles prevailed 41-22, including 13 offensive, leading to second opportunities to score.
Another was foul problems. Bravettes Ellen Cook, Claire Erselius and Vivian Cook each finished with four personals, which meant the Bravettes had to manage those fouls.
The Bravettes shot slightly better (.322 from the field) than they did in the opener. But Pella Christian shot (.471).
The Eagles, off to their best start (2-0) in a few years, led 17-13 after one quarter, 34-23 at halftime, and 56-36 through three quarters. An 18-12 Montezuma fourth quarter to cut the final margin to 14 points.
Guard Ellen Cook had a sparkling game for Montezuma, including 18 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and two steals.
Guard Vivian Cook, who went scoreless in the opener, led the team with 21 points, including 5-for-11 from three-point range. She also dished two assists and led the Bravettes with 5 steals.
Pella Christian featured unselfish ball movement, which led to 20 assists on 24 made field goals.
Chloe Snyder scored 20 points for the Eagles. Addie Van Arendonck had 14, as did Faith Kacmarynski.
Rachel Kacmarynski grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds, and each Kacmarynski had a half dozen assists.
The Bravettes won the turnover battle 12-19, and went 7-11 from the free throw line.
The defeat dropped the Bravettes to 0-2 on the young season.
UP NEXT – Montezuma will again play a larger school, squaring off against Maquoketa Valley at 10:40 Saturday morning, Nov. 30, at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Pella Christian 17 17 22 12 – 68
Montezuma 13 10 13 18 – 54
MONTEZUMA (54) – Ellen Cook 7-19, 1-2, 4, 18; Vivian Cook 7-16, 2-2, 4, 21; Syd Burgess 0-2, 0-0, 4, 0; Claire Erselius 2-10, 1-4, 2, 6; Shiressa Wetering 3-9, 3-3, 3, 9; Lindsey Henry 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0; Lauryn Larmore 0-3, 0-0, 1, 0; Letisia Wilson 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0; TOTALS – 19-59, 7-11, 18, 54.
PELLA CHRISTIAN (68) – TOTALS – 24-51, 12-15, 68.
LINE SCORE LEGEND: field goals made-attempted, free throws made-attempted; personal fouls, total points.
Turnovers: Montezuma 12, Pella Christian 19.
Three-pointers: Montezuma 9-32 (V. Cook 5-11, E. Cook 3-10, Erselius 1-6, Burgess 0-2, Larmore 0-3); PC – 8-19.
Rebounds: Montezuma 22 (E. Cook 9, Wetering 5, Erselius 3, Larmore 4, V. Cook 1); PC – 41.
Assists: Montezuma 9 (E. Cook 5, V. Cook 2, Erselius 1, Larmore 1), PC – 20.
Steals – Montezuma 11 (V. Cook 5, E. Cook 2, Larmore 1, Burgess 2, Erselius 1); PC 8.
Blocks – Montezuma 0, PC 2.