Second Half Comeback Helps Eskomos Win Polar League Title

Wes Vork-NSO

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Feb 16, 2012

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

BARNUM- When Barnum started out nailing their first five 3-point shots of the game and six of the first seven, the Bombers looked like they were going to blow away the Eskomos as they jumped out to a 22-10 early in the first half. A timeout by head coach Scott Antonutti and the Eskomos slowed down the tempo worked the ball inside to Savanna Trapp and the Eskomos slowly worked their way back into the ball game as they made a second half comeback to capture their second consecutive Polar league Title.

With 9:28 remaining in the first half the Eskomos slowly started working their way back into the game and when Megan Reuer hit a shot down low it cut the Barnum lead to three points at 25-22.

The 12-3 Eskomo run was stopped as the Bombers regrouped and built a seven point lead when Claudia Turner and Katie Myhre both his shots to build the lead back to seven. Steph Miller drained a three pointer with under a minute to play in the half to cut the lead to four points at 31-27.

“They way they came out with their hot shooting, I was wondering how long they could keep going the way they did.” Head Coach Antonutti told Northland Sports Online. “We fought our way back into the game we did the things we needed to do and we controlled the tempo.” Antonutti added “it was a physical game with lots of bodies battling one another but we can out in the end.”

Marisa Shady told Northland Sports Online “They came out so well and shot the ball so well but we stuck with it, worked hard and came back; I was so proud of what we did to come back the way we did.” Shady added “we don’t give up we have had some injuries and seeing these girls come off the bench and add to our team is amazing.”

Shady also stated “to come in here and beat a team in which we have a huge rivalry with and to end a 44 game conference win streak was something special, and another close game win makes it even more special with the playoffs near.”

The second half saw the Eskomos slowly start chipping into the Barnum lead as they worked the ball inside to Trapp who continued to convert shots down low. The Eskomos cut the lead to at 34-33, but the Bombers Claire Rodgers and Katie Myhre hit two shots to increase the lead back to six points.

That would be the largest lead the Bombers held the rest of the game as Esko fought back and Megan Reuer tied the game at 44-44 with a shot in the low post. A Kallyn Knutson three pointer gave Esko its first lead of the game at 47-44. Esko kept going, building a four point at 50-46 with 3:03 remaining in the second half. Myhre drained a 3-pointer to cut the lead to one and then a steal by Claire Rodger and basket and a foul gave Barnum their last lead of the game at 52-50.

The Eskomos then came right back and tied the score at 52-52 and Shady nailed a 3-pointer to put Esko in front for good as they closed out with the four point win.

Trapp led all scorers with 25 points and added 13 rebounds in the victory. Knutson added 11 points, Stephanie Miller 9, Shady scored 5, Reuer 4, Erica Shady 2, and Brooke Schramm scored 2 points and her constant hustle saw her finish with an impressive 13 rebounds for Esko.

The Bombers were led by Katie Myhre who finished with 16 points. Claire Rodgers nailed 14 and sister Caitlin added 12, Claudia Turner added 7, Lissa Warpula 3, and Emma Casey scored 2 in the loss for Barnum. As a team the Bombers hit a total of 11 3-pointers.

Esko improves to 21-1 on the season and they are in action on Saturday when they travel to Crosby to take on the Rangers in a non-conference match-up.

Barnum falls to 20-5 and they will be in action again on Monday when they host Carlton in a conference contest.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com