Rustlers slip by Ponies in Great Falls

The Havre High girls basketball team had hopes of rebounding from a loss to Great Falls High, with a victory over CMR. Yet, despite a commendable performance, the Blue Ponies came up short.

From start to finish, the game was really all about defense. Both teams shot poorly from the field and particularly poor from the perimeter. But in the end, the Rustlers did just enough offensively to come away with a 41-37 victory over Havre Saturday inside the CMR Fieldhouse in Great Falls.

"I was really pleased with the way that we played in the last couple of minutes," HHS head coach Dustin Kraske said. "But, before that, it was like we were just going through the motions. We definitely have some things that we need to work on. We have to come out with a much greater sense of urgency."

The loss was the second consecutive defeat for the Ponies, who have now lost back-to-back games after winning six consecutive coming into the week. Havre is also now just 2-6 in non-conference action compared to 6-0 in Central A conference play.

"Right now we just really need to focus on getting better," Kraske said. "We need to get back to doing the simple things and playing with good fundamentals."

The battle between interclass rivals was close throughout, and in the end of the first quarter, the Rustlers led 8-7. The two teams continued to have little separation in the second quarter and after each team managed 10 points in the stanza, CMR went to halftime holding onto an 18-17 lead.

HHS surged out of the locker room and grabbed a four-point lead early in the third quarter, but the Rustlers closed the third strong and in the process, extended their lead to 31-24.

"At times I thought we played OK," Kraske said. "We did some good things here and there but we were just not consistent at all."

Dani Wagner led a valiant comeback attempt in the fourth quarter and after a slew of baskets, she pulled the Ponies within two at 35-33. Yet, the Rustlers were solid at the free throw line down the stretch and the Ponies simply couldn't take advantage of their opening.

"We came back there in the fourth and we got some good looks on four or five straight possessions," Kraske said. "But, we just couldn't get them to go in."

The contest featured just two double-digit scorers with one on each team. Wagner led everyone in the game with 15 points, while Mady Shawinski paced the Rustlers with 11. Courteney Shovlin also had nine for the Rustlers; Ceyara Plante added seven for HHS.

Havre will look to get back on track after consecutive defeats this Thursday, when the Ponies will play host to the Conrad Cowgirls inside the HHS gymnasium. Tip-off will be at 7 p.m.

CMR 41, Havre 37

Havre 7 10 7 13 - 37

CMR 8 10 13 10 - 41

Havre - Ceyara Plante 7, Dani Wagner 15, Naomi Terry 4, Marca Herron 3, Kristen Nash 2, Ryen Olson 2, Danielle Wallace 4.

CMR - Mady Skawinski 11, Courteney Shovlin 9, Addison Gardner 8, Courtney Schneider 2, Cailey Froehle 6, Kyra Willis 4, Brianna Brown 1.