Pine City hosted East Central on Tuesday night.
As the game began it looked like we were going to be in for a shootout. Both teams were finding plenty of open shots but couldn't turn them into points. Although there were plenty of open looks the defenses were making their stands and smothering the offenses. Both defenses were also doing a good job of not allowing any second chance scoring opportunities. Both teams failed to get on the board until 5 minutes in the 1st half, when the Eagles took a 2-0 lead. Pine City would answer with a free throw, but both offenses still struggled to find any consistency. It wasn't till under 9 minutes left that the teams got themselves into rhythm. They were able to settle in and slow the pace alittle, and shots began to fall. It was a back and forth battle, neither side able to extend a lead more than 4 points. That was until late in the half, when Pine City would find a way to grow their lead to 10. With under a minute and a half left it seemed all momentum had swung in their favor. But the Eagles were not going into half quietly. They were able to cut their deficit down to 5 and swing ole moe back in their favor.
The Eagles were hoping this would carry into the 2nd half and help them make the comeback and pull off a win on the road. While early on in the 2nd half it was close, the Dragons were able to methodically pull away and even extend their lead to over 20 points. The offense was carried in large part by Mallory Clepper, but bench players Reyah Johnson and Kate Unverzagt also helped take some pressure off others. Pine City would be victorious over East Central 60-38.
Pine City moves back to .500 on the season and in the conference. They'll head on the road Thursday to face Crosby-Ironton.
East central falls to 4-10 but don't let their record or their youth fool you, this is a team that will surprise a few teams and pick up some big wins before the end of the season.
Scoring
Pine City:
Mallory Clepper 25
Brooke Boland 10
Kate Unverzagt 8
Paige Gray 7
Reyah Johnson 5
Piper Mettling 3
Rhetta Ganote 2
East Central:
Lucy Laursen 14
Hayden Loew 9
Elsie Laursen 8
Ashlyn Loew 4
Adeline Presley 2
Kennadee Volk 1
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