A second-half comeback by South O’Brien fell short as the Wolverines lost to Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn 57-50 February 7 at Paullina. The loss prevented the host team from getting a regular season win as they fell to 0-10 in the War Eagle Conference and 0-21 overall.
The second quarter was again unkind to South O’Brien. They entered that frame trailing 12-11, but by halftime were down 36-20. The Wolverines trimmed two points off the deficit in the third quarter and then outscored HMS 23-16 in the fourth. With 37 seconds remaining, South O’Brien had whittled the Hawks’ lead down to just five points but could get no closer.
“The girls gave effort and fought hard to come back,” noted Wolverine head coach Erica Zimmer. “I told the girls to focus on one possession at a time, and that seemed too stick with them.”
South O’Brien took 10 more shots than did the Hawks, but made two fewer baskets. The Wolverines were 17-of-61 for 28 percent. HMS shot 38 percent with 19 hoops in 51 tries. South O’Brien grabbed 16 offensive rebounds and helped the Hawks commit 25 turnovers. The Wolverines turned the ball over 18 times. Each of the two teams converted five treys and shot 25 free throws. The visitors were slightly more accurate at the line with 14 makes compared to 11 for South O’Brien.
Taja Conley scored 13 points, grabbed three rebounds and made two steals. Takara Conley contributed nine points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals. Marissa Ebel and Tatiana Conley each scored eight points with Ebel adding four assists and three steals and Conley nine rebounds and five steals. Abby Nelson recorded seven points and five rebounds. Samantha Wilbur chipped in with four points, six rebounds and two assists and Reagan Draper finished with one point and three rebounds. Wilbur and Draper each blocked a shot.
HMS
12 24 5 16 – 57
S. O’Brien
11 9 7 23 – 50