Lady Bulldogs end season one win away from State
Mission's Ellannah Flat Lip nails a shot against Thompson Falls during last week's Western B Divisional Tourney at Salish Kootenai College. (Bob Gunderson photo)
Mission finished the year one win away from the state tournament, placing fourth overall at the Western B Divisional Tournament at Salish Kootenai College Feb. 22-24.
The first game at the divisional tournament came against Deer Lodge, and Mission thoroughly defeated them 53-12 on Thursday, Feb. 22.
Cora Matt led the Lady Bulldogs with 17 points, while Kieran Incashola and Izzy Evans each tallied eight points.
Mission led 27-7 at halftime, then went on a 13-3 run in the third quarter, and held the Wardens to two points in the fourth.
That advanced the Lady Bulldogs to the divisional semifinals on Friday, where they faced Western 6B No. 2 seed Anaconda. Despite a comeback by Mission in the fourth quarter, the Lady Bulldogs fell 60-49.
The Lady Bulldogs trailed by 10 points in the first quarter and 32-14 at halftime; after an even third quarter, Mission outscored Anaconda by seven points in the fourth but ran out of time.
Kason Page led Mission with 13 points and six steals, while Cora Matt had 10 points and 16 rebounds. Ellannah Flat Lip added nine points to Mission’s efforts, and Izzy Evans posted seven points.
That moved the Lady Bulldogs into the divisional consolation semifinal, where they faced familiar Western 7B foe Thompson Falls. Mission had a quick start to the game and downed them 61-35 on Saturday.
Mission led 19-3 after the first quarter and went into halftime with a 33-11 lead. Thompson Falls went on an 18-7 run in the second, but Mission finished the game on a 21-6 surge in the fourth.
Cora Matt led the Lady Bulldogs with 16 points, while Ellannah Flat Lip had 13 points.
Advancing to the third-fourth place game, Mission faced Florence-Carlton with a trip to the Class B State Tournament on the line. Florence-Carlton fended off a furious comeback by Mission in the fourth quarter to pick up the 53-43 victory.
Mission trailed Florence-Carlton 16-14 in the first quarter, but the Lady Falcons then went on a 13-0 run for a 29-14 halftime lead. They would add five points to that lead in the third, but Mission wasn’t done yet and outscored Florence-Carlton by 10 points in the fourth.
Cora Matt led Mission with 14 points, while Ellannah Flat Lip and Izzy Evans each had eight points.
The loss ended Mission’s season, a year that saw the Lady Bulldogs go 9-1 in league play and 19-5 overall.
Saturday, February 24
FLORENCE-CARLTON 53, MISSION 43
Mission - 14 - 0 - 8 - 21 - 43
Flor-Car - 16 - 13 - 15 - 9 - 53
MISSION SCORING - Cora Matt 14, Ellannah Flat Lip 8, Izzy Evans 8, Kason Page 7, Kieran Incashola 6
Saturday, February 24
MISSION 61, THOMPSON FALLS 35
T-Falls - 3 - 8 - 18 - 6 - 35
Mission - 19 - 14 - 7 - 21 - 61
MISSION SCORING - Cora Matt 16, Ellannah Flat Lip 13, Kieran Incashola 7, Brooklyn McClure 7, Olivia Adams 5, Kason Page 5, Izzy Evans 3, Madison Incashola 2, Niona Tenas 2, Maria Christoper 1
Friday, February 23
ANACONDA 60, MISSION 49
Anaconda - 18 - 14 - 12 - 16 - 60
Mission - 8 - 6 - 12 - 23 - 49
MISSION SCORING - Kason Page 13, Cora Matt 10, Ellannah Flat Lip 9, Izzy Evans 7, Kieran Incashola 6, Brooklyn McClure 4
Thursday, February 22
MISSION 53, DEER LODGE 12
Deer Lodge - 2 - 5 - 3 - 2 - 12
Mission - 10 - 17 - 13 - 13 - 53
MISSION SCORING - Cora Matt 17, Kieran Incashola 8, Izzy Evans 8, Kason Page 4, Olivia Adams 4, Madison Incashola 3, Niona Tenas 3, Ellannah Flat Lip 2, Brooklyn McClure 2, Maria Christopher 2