The Bulldog ladies basketball team need look no further than the free throw line to understand a disappointing 68-61 loss to visiting Milaca Thursday. They missed lots of free throws. And Milaca made lots of them, energizing themselves to a come-from-behind victory.

 

The Bulldog defense was stiff in the early going, and combined with opportune scoring by Julia Bengtson and Courtney Nuest, built an 11-2 lead just into the game. 

 

The Bulldogs forced more turnovers and Alayne Lindquist scored a two-pointer with seven minutes remaining, giving Becker a 23-11 lead.

 

But the Wolves found their pace, getting back into the game and trailing 30-27 at the half.

 

The Becker  lead became 43-32, then Milaca went back to work, turning Becker over, driving the ball, shooting threes and free throws, finally tying things at 54 with 2:35 to go.

 

The Wolves kept the pressure on for more production, winning going away with more free throws.

 

Bengston had 25 to lead the Bulldogs, and was followed by Lindquist and Nuest with 11, Gamble with 10 and Kent and Tripp, each with two.

 

Becker fell to 12-11 and 8-4 in conference play; Milaca improved to 12-13 and 7-6 in the conference. The Bulldogs are at home Tuesday against Cathedral for Parents Night.

 

The Bulldogs had a chance to close down seventh-rated Alexandria Cardinals at the visiting court last Saturday evening. But the Cardinals came roaring back to force an overtime session, then outscored the Bulldogs 14-3 to win the game.

 

Becker played great ball in the first half of the game, leading 36-20 at half time, stopping the Cardinals’ post players from doing damage.

 

But Alexandria used pressure to get back to within two with just a minute to go, then the hosts stole a pass and scored the tying basket with nine seconds to go. Kirsten Fitzgerald’s attempt at a game-winner for Becker rimmed the basket and went out.

 

The Cardinals used their late game momentum to outscore the Bulldogs in the overtime.

 

Alexandria improved to 18-3 with the victory, while Becker fell to 12-10 on the season.

 

Julia Bengtson scored 16 to lead Becker. Courtney Nuest had 13 and Megan Gamble added 11 and was solid on the boards, too.

 

Paschka, 17, Gould, 12, Duwenhoegger and Grove, 11 each, led Alexandria’s offense.

 

The game was played as the first half of a girls-boys doubleheader with the Cardinals.

 

Coach Daniel Baird saw his charges overcome a slow start to kick into high gear to defeat the Mustangs the night prior.

 

Alyna Lindquist led Becker with 13 points and did a great job attacking gaps in the Mora defense. Nuest scored 11 points in the first half to help Becker to an 18 -point halftime lead.

 

Becker improved to 8-3 in the Granite Ridge Conference with the win, while Mora fell to 5-18 for the year.

 

Other Becker scorers were Bengtson, eight; Benda, seven; Fitzgerald and Anderson, six; Gruenes, and Gamble four; Mittlestaedt, three; Paumen, Masog, Tripp and Kent, two each.