Thibault scores winning basket in Panthers Victory

CULVER, Minn—

PHOTOS BY PAULA GELLATLY

Mallory Thibault scored down low off a rebound with 2.5 seconds left in the game and would sink two free throws with 1.5 seconds left to push the Panthers over the Huskies for the win last night at South Ridge.

The Panthers started out slow and were down by as much as 10 early on in the first half.  But, they fought back slowly and steadily and made the game very interesting!

The Huskies were ahead the entire game until the Panthers tied it up at 47 with 6:45 left in the game.

The Huskies went on a small run and were up by 5 points (55-50) with 4:03 left in the game.

The Panthers closed in to within one point (55-54) with 10.9 seconds left.

After a time out The Panthers had the ball at the top of the key.  The Panthers ran a play and missed the shot, but Mallory Thibault scored off the rebound and put South Ridge ahead by one point with 2.5 seconds left in the game.

The Huskies tried to make an in-bound pass after the made basket and Thiabault stole the ball!  Bigfork was forced them to foul Thibault to stop the clock.  Thibault sank both free throws to put the Panthers ahead by three with 1.5 seconds left in the game.

The Huskies tried a last ditch effort for a three pointer to tie the game, but to no avail.  The Panthers won with a score of 58-55 and increase their record to 13-10.

South Ridge plays their last regular season game on Friday at home vs. Eveleth-Gilbert at 7:15 p.m.

The Bigfork Huskies will close out their season Friday at home vs. Greenway.

d

South Ridge 27 31-  58

Bigfork 34 21-  55

Bigfork — Lexi Becker 17, Tiandra Haley 14, Emma Rauzi 6, Shayla Cook 6, Alicia Youngkin 6, Kendra Porter 4, Jessica Schmit 2. Totals 24 1-4 55. 3-point goals — Becker 3, Cook 2, Rauzi.

South Ridge — Mikayla Olesiak 19, Mallory Thibault 13, Krystal Karppinen 10, Justice Janke 9, Lindsey Janke 7. Totals 20 15-18 58. 3-point goals — Karppinen 2, L. Janke.