Carlton Girls Complete Comeback Victory

Wes Vork-NSO

For Additional Photos Click Here To View Our Photo Gallery

Dec 20

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

CARLTON – The Carlton Bulldogs came back from a seven-point deficit at halftime to beat the Cromwell Cardinals in a Polar League match-up at home Monday night. The Bulldogs, trailing 24-17 at the half, came back to win 46-42.

The first half had each team sustaining runs back and forth. So there was some uncertainty as to which team would come out on top.
Carlton, trailing 16-10, went on a 7-0 run to take their first lead at 17-16. Cromwell answered right back by going on a 8-0 run to close out the first half with a seven point lead.

Carlton’s adjustments at halftime proved to be the right changes. They came out applying full court pressure, which forced Cromwell in to several turnovers. Head coach Dave Foster told Northland Sports Online, “We had too many mistakes tonight. This team has too much experience to be making these simple mistakes.” He added, “We have to make better decisions with the basketball because this is a game we had a chance to win.”

Carlton forced several turnovers that led to easy baskets and put the Cardinals into a fouling situation. The Bulldogs came on strong, able to hit their free throws down the stretch and win the game by four. Savannah Schramm came up big, going 10-14 from the free throw line. Sarah Aili also nailed a free throw with less than thirty seconds to play to make it a two-possession game and a four-point lead. Cromwell never got any closer, improving the Bulldogs to a 3-4 record on the season.

“It was a great win,” head coach Lisa Johnson told Northland Sports Online. “The girls came up big from the free-throw line tonight.” The Bulldogs finished 18-31 from the free throw line. They will need to carry Monday’s momentum to their game on Tuesday when they face the Isle Huskies at home.

Aili led the Bulldogs with 15 points on the night, while Schramm added 12 in the win. Ariana Korpela and Ashley Collman both scored 13 points in the loss for Cromwell, who falls to 4-2 after opening the season with four straight wins.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com