The Becker Lady Bulldog basketball team continued its roll through the regular season with two more wins, improving to 7-1.

 

 

Becker defeated the St. Cloud Apollo Eagles by a score of 91-70 last Friday at home.  

 

Apollo came into the matchup ranked #8 overall in Class AAA.  

 

The Bulldogs were hot, shooting 55% from the field. They were relentless attacking the basket.  

 

“Our players used its 50 motion offense to create space and driving lanes,” said Head Coach Dan Baird. “Our midrange game was excellent.  In the past, we would settle for three's or layups, but currently we are dangerous from anywhere which is nice to see.”

 

Baird said his girls worked hard on their shooting over the summer and he is seeing the fruits of that labor.  

 

Becker had 26 steals against Apollo and forced 32 turnovers.  

 

Freshman Adeline Kent continued her torrent pace, scoring a career high 38 points on 16-of-22 shooting to lead the Bulldogs.  She also had eight rebounds, four assists and four steals.  

 

“Addy's Krossover Efficiency Rating was a Becker season team high of 40 in this contest,” said Baird.  

 

Julia Bengtson played excellent defense on Apollo's star, Lariah Washington.  Bengtson made everything tough on the D-1, Eastern Illinois recruit.  Washington proved her worth by making some incredible shots, but Bengtson made her work for it.  Bengtson had 17 points to go with four rebounds, four assists and six steals.

 

Courtney Nuest had another great game for the Bulldogs and she captured an efficiency rating of 23 for the second straight game (Krossover Rating above 15 is excellent).  

 

Nuest had 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and four steals.  

 

“Courtney frustrated and battled Apollo's Ashley Koepp the entire way,” said Becker’s head coach. “Courtney's work ethic really sets the tone for the Bulldogs.”

 

Apollo led at halftime 44-42, but Becker used a 8-0 spurt to start the second half to jumpstart the Bulldogs.  With the win, Becker moved to 6-1 on the season, 3-1 in Section 5AAA.  Apollo fell to 5-2 on the season, 2-1 in the section.  

 

Becker scoring: Kent 38,  Bengtson 17,  Nuest 15,  Alayna Lindquist 8,  Megan Gamble 8,  Dani Nuest 3 and Lexi  Masog 2.

 

Apollo scoring: Washington 28, Koep 15,   Chloe Swanson 12,  Lauren Freeman 7,  Jessica Timpane 6 and  Kaleigh Schuck 2.

 

 

The Bulldogs completely dismantled the Little Falls Flyers Thursday at home, beating the visitors by 58 points.

 

Bengtson continued her outstanding play with 27 points and four rebounds.  Bengston also continues to be tasked with guarding the best players on the opposing teams.  

 

“She's having a great season offensively, defensively, and most importantly as a leader,” said Baird.

 

Courtney Nuest added eight points and eight rebounds and Kent added nine points and five rebounds.  

 

With the game so out of reach early on, Baird saved his starters and allowed some of his second string players to play extensively.

 

Lexi Masog and Megan Gamble each added 11 points for the Bulldogs.

 

By halftime, Becker held a 50-10 lead.

 

 The win moves Becker to 7-1 overall and 2-0 in the Granite Ridge Conference.

 

Becker scoring: Bengtson 27,   Gamble 11,   Masog 11,    Kent 9,     Courtney Nuest 8,   Lindquist 7,   Dani Nuest 3,    Cayla Paumen 3,    Jackie Yoerg 2, Maren Westin 2,    Ayla Brown 1 and Aly Gruenes 1.

 

Flyers scoring: Rachel Witucki 7, Allie Steinmetz 4, Samantha Tembreull 4,   Abby Poser 4, Taylor Jordan 2, Ella Bjorge 2, Kendall Swantek 2 and Taylor Swantek 2.

 

 

Friday, Becker traveled to St. Cloud to take on Cathedral. A full report on the game’s results will appear in next week’s Citizen-Tribune.

 

Thursday and Friday, Becker will play in a Monticello tournament where they will face the Magic at 7:15 Thursday night, then battle Princeton at 3:45 p.m. Friday.