Last Thursday, the Becker girls basketball team suffered its first loss of the season, dropping a 75 to 65 game on the road to Providence Academy.

Becker played the game without two of its starts, as both Maren Westin and Lexi Rose were dealing with injuries.

The Bulldogs turned the ball over 22 times and were uncharacteristically on the short end of the transition points stat, 27 to 9.

“Our girls played inconsistent without Maren and Lexi in the lineup,” Coach Dan Baird said. “Just too many turnovers, although our girls did a real nice job competing against the defending AA champs!”

After the loss, Baird left the game with his thoughts for his two players, Westin and Rose, who were unable to compete.

“The injuries stink because you feel bad the girl can’t play or compete,” Baird noted. “However, they are still a huge part of the locker room! On the court, we have a next person up mentality and these experiences for the younger players will help expedite our depth for the Section and State runs.”

Baird highlighted Ayla Brown for her monster game, scoring 29 points for the Bulldogs.

Becker scoring: Ayla Brown 29, Dani Nuest 6 (5 steals), Reese Hausmann 2, Madison Bass 6, Claire Leither 3, Alexa Voller 6, Evelyn Kreft 6 (8 rebounds), Liz Mackedanz 7 (11 rebounds).

Magic Doubleheader

Tuesday night, Becker again played a varsity doubleheader, this time in Monticello with the boys teams playing first.

The Bulldogs took care of business in the first game, with the Becker boys winning 70-54.

The win propelled Becker to a record of 5-3 on the season, while the Magic dropped to 1-8.

In the girls game nightcap, the Bulldogs defeated the Magic, 64-42.

“Our defense was really good and Ayla and Maren shined offensively,” Baird said. “It was a good win over a team we most likely need to beat to go to state.  It sent a message to the Conference and Section that we’re the team to beat.”

Brown (five three-pointers) led the Bulldogs with 24 points, while Westin chipped in 18. Other Becker scorers: Nuest 2, Dierkes 3, Hausmann 2, Bass 5, Kreft 6, Mackedanz 4.