M-ettes smash Wolf Point, Poplar; to face Rocky Boy, Roundup

The Malta M-ettes now boast a 14-0 record after defeating conference foes Poplar and Wolf Point last week. They will face Rocky Boy in Malta at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and then travel to Roundup to face the Panthers on Saturday. Tip off against the Panthers is set for 4 p.m.

The M-ettes have not lost a game since the State B Title game in 2014, but the team isn't concerned with having the state's next big winning streak.

"We don't really notice it," M-ette junior Jada Nicholson said. "We're used to winning. That may be bad to say but we are."

The M-ettes defeated the Poplar Indians 80-20 in Malta last Thursday night.

"Our defense was key to our win," Eva Harms told the PCN. "We were going for it and we got it."

Malta was led by Hailey Nicholson, who had 26 points, nine rebounds, three steals and a block.

Sophia Stiles had 19 points, eight assists, four steals and three rebounds. J. Nicholson had 14 points, five steals, five assists, three rebounds and a block.

Senior Adrianna Bibeau had seven points. Marley Manoukian had six points and five rebounds. Mary Kalal had four points and five rebounds. Ella Schye and Shay Garfield had two points each.

In the second quarter, Bibeau had one of the most impressive shots of the night, a reverse-granny-bank-shot that could have won a playground game of horse.

"I was thinking, I can't pass it out so maybe I'll at least get fouled or Hailey will get the rebound, so I just threw it up," Bibeau remembered. "I wasn't expecting it to go in."

Bibeau noted that as tournament time is fast approaching, she is getting more confident.

"I'm feeling really good about myself," Bibeau said. "After I played really well in the Harlem game, I've just been more comfortable since then. I was like, ok. I can play with these guys."

Malta scored 40 points off of 30 forced turnovers. Malta outrebounded Poplar 31 to 13 and only gave up one second chance rebound. The M-ettes shot 61 percent from the floor, making 37 of 60 shot attempts. Malta made five of sixteen free throw attempts (31 percent).

Malta as a team only had five turnovers and scored 15 points off of the bench.

Jada shared her thoughts on facing Wolf Point.

Malta's defense continued to shine against Wolf Point as the M-ettes defeated the Lady Wolves 63-35 last Saturday in Wolf Point.

The team was led by Stiles who had 24 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals. H. Nicholson had 16 points, nine rebounds, three blocks and two steals. J. Nicholson had five points and eight rebounds. Manoukian, Kalal and Mystic Striker each had four points. Bibeau, Garfield and Eva Harms each had two points.

Malta out-rebounded Wolf Point 43 to 21. The M-ettes forced 20 turnovers which they converted to 20 points.