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M-ettes win 2B title, to go for Northern B Repeat

The Malta M-ettes basketball team earned a 2021 District 2B trophy to match their 2021 2B Conference trophy by defeating the Glasgow Lady Scotties last Saturday, February 27, in Poplar.

Malta won the District 2B title for the first time since 2017. In doing so, the M-ettes earned a chance to retain their Northern B crown, having won the 2020 divisional title in Shelby last season.

As District 2B's first seed, the M-ettes will take on the Cut Bank Lady Wolves in the opening round of the Northern B Divisional set to start on Thursday, March 4, in Wolf Point.

Coach Nate Hammond told the PCN that the team was excited to be in the Northern B Tournament.

"We like our side of the bracket," Coach Hammond said. "It will be fun to play Cut Bank that first game because it is a team that we don't know much about and our team is excited to see what we can do."

Cut Bank heads into the Northern B Tournament as the fourth seed after falling 44-39 to the Shelby Coyotes last Saturday in the District 1B consolation finals.

Depending on the ending of that game, Malta will see either 2B's third-seeded Harlem or 1B's runner-up, Choteau, in the next round of the tournament.

The other side of the bracket features the Fairfield Lady Eagles who won the 1B title over the Choteau Lady Bulldogs last Saturday night. Fairfield will face the Conrad Cowgirls who come into the tournament as the lowest seed, having placed fifth in the 1B District Tournament. The Glasgow Lady Scotties will play Shelby after the Fairfield - Conrad game.

In Malta's 2B Championship win over Glasgow, Malta was led by Maddie Williamson who scored 16 points and had six rebounds. Addy Anderson knocked down three treys on the way to her 14 point, four rebound outing. Allie Kunze had eight points, eight rebounds, and three steals. Kylee Nelson had eight points, six rebounds, and one steal. Justine Lamb had eight points, Erica Smith had two points, and Kylie Hunter had two points.

Malta fell behind 15-11 in the first quarter but battled back in the second quarter for a 29-28 advantage going into halftime. Williamson scored 12 points in the quarter.

"Glasgow was shooting the ball pretty well and hit a couple of three-pointers and they were quicker than us," Coach Hammond said. "Whether they were playing harder or getting bounces or loose ball, everything seemed to be going their way."

Teams went back and forth in the third quarter, but Malta outscored the Lady Scotties 17-13 in the period. The score was 46-41 at the start of the fourth quarter. Both teams scored 12 points in the fourth quarter.

Malta was 24-of-46 (52%) from the field, while Glasgow was 20-of-46 (43%). Malta knocked down 5-of-12 free throws, while Glasgow was 7-of-13.

The teams were close defensively. Malta outrebounded Glasgow 26-25, Malta forced 10 turnovers, while Glasgow forced 12. Malta scored 14 points off of turnovers, and Glasgow scored nine. Malta had 13-second chance points, and Glasgow scored seven. Malta had 13 points off of the bench, while Glasgow scored seven.

The M-ettes were dominant in their semifinal win over Harlem last Friday, February 26. The M-ettes cruised to a 59-30 win, holding Harlem to a low shooting percentage of 16 (9-of-54) while forcing 23 turnovers.

"Getting to the free-throw line for 29 attempts helped us a bit, even though we only made 17," Coach Hammond said.

The M-ettes were led by Kunze who had 16 points, nine rebounds, and three steals. Williamson had 12 points, six rebounds, and four steals. Lamb had eight points and eight rebounds. Smith had seven points and four assists. Hunter had six points. Nelson had four points and five steals. Anderson had two points, Brylee French had two points, Lauren Tuss had one point, and Aubri Werk had one point.

 

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