Lady Pirates win a thriller, 46-44

BUTTE - It was Heidi Rausch's time to shine. With Havre putting the focus of their defense on Lady Pirate leading scorer Riley Kenney, Rausch came up big in the second half to help Polson to a thrilling 46-44 victory in the second day of the Class A Girls Basketball State Tournament in Butte.

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BUTTE - It was Heidi Rausch's time to shine. With Havre putting the focus of their defense on Lady Pirate leading scorer Riley Kenney, Rausch came up big in the second half to help Polson to a thrilling 46-44 victory in the second day of the Class A Girls Basketball State Tournament in Butte.

Rausch had 16 points to lead all scorers, while Kenney fought through an injury in the first half and a tough defense to score 15. It was an intense game and both teams combined for 50 turnovers, but the Lady Pirates got key plays in the end for the victory.

Havre shot an eye-popping 57 percent from the field and over 70 percent from behind the three point arc in the first half to take a 23-17 lead headed into the break. Polson made their move in the third quarter, thanks to six straight points by Rausch and the Lady Pirates outscored Havre 17-10 to take a slim 34-33 advantage going into the fourth.

A fast break basket by Mackenzie Banner and a impressive fast break assist by Rausch to Kenney helped the Lady Pirates keep pace with Havre and they held on for the 46-44 victory.

Polson shot 15-for-31 from the field and took 28 free throws, making 16 of them. Havre only took 15 free throws and cooled down shooting in the second half. Where they really excelled was taking the ball away from Polson, racking up 17 steals.

The Lady Pirates won the rebounding battle 30-24, with Rausch leading the team with nine boards.

Polson (17-5) will advance to the consolation semi-final tomorrow at 11 a.m. with the opponent yet to be determined.

POLSON 46, HAVRE 44

Polson - 11 - 6 - 17 - 12 — 46

Havre - 12 - 11 - 10 - 11 — 44

POLSON (17-5) — Mackenzie Banner 2-2 1-1 5, Mariah Hamel 0-5 1-4 1, Anna DiGiallonardo 1-4 2-4 4, Riley Kenney 3-5 9-10 15, Heidi Rausch 7-10 2-7 16, Macall Banner 1-4 1-2 3, Jordan Quinn 0-0 0-0 0, Hallie Hovenkotter 1-1 0-0 2, Shelbi Mallon 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 15-31 16-28 46.

HAVRE (12-9) — Brandy Lambourne 3-6 1-2 8, Jaclyn Evans 4-7 0-2 11, Sammy Evans 3-6 0-2 6, Peyton Filius 0-4 2-5 2, Chanal Standing Rock 4-7 0-0 10, Morgan Mazurkiewicz 0-7 2-2 2, Lacey Waid 1-2 1-2 3, Neya Bischoff 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 16-41 6-15 44.

3-pointers — Polson 0-2 (Hamel 0-1, Macall Banner 0-1), Havre 6-14 (J. Evans 3-4, Standing Rock 2-3, Lambourne 1-4, Filius 0-2, Mazurkiewicz 0-1). Rebounds — Polson 30 (Rausch 9, Kenney 6), Havre 24 (Lambourne 4, Mazurkiewicz 4, Bischoff 4). Assists — Polson 5 (Hamel 2), Havre 11 (Filius 4). Fouls — Polson 18, Havre 20. Fouled out — none. Technicals — none. Steals — Polson 9 (Mackenzie Banner 2, DiGiallonardo 2, Kenney 2), Havre 17 (S. Evans 4, Lambourne 3, J. Evans 3, Mazurkiewicz 3). Blocks — Polson 0, Havre 0. Turnovers — Polson 26, Havre 24.