The Becker Bulldog girls basketball team went 1-1 this week with a win over Mora and a loss at home to Milaca.

 

The Becker girl's basketball team lost in a hard fought game Tuesday night on their home court.  

 

The Lady Bulldogs battled back from a deficit at halftime to take a 10-point lead with 4:30 left in the game.  However, Milaca stormed back in the final minutes to steal the victory.

 

“I know we can play better when it comes to fouling,” said Head Coach Dan Baird.  

 

Both teams combined for 52 fouls.  

 

“It looked more a football game than a basketball game,” Baird said.  Fifty-two fouls really hurts the flow of a basketball game.”

 

Becker did get a nice performance from eighth grader Julia Bengtson, who scored 20 points.  McKenna Anderson scored five points and played an excellent all-around game maintaining her composure throughout.

 

Claire Thorn scored nine and Madi Kerman and Renee Tripp each added eight points each.  Courtney Nuest also had five points.

 

“We had key members of our team in foul trouble,” said Baird. “Tripp, who usually guards the opponents’ best player, fouled out with 4:09 to go in the game.”  

 

Baird said his squad had a tough time maintaining their composure without Tripp on the court.    The Bulldogs (2-4) had four chances to score when they were up by 10, but failed to put the Wolves away when they had the chance. 

 

“This game was a great learning experience for our girls and myself,” said the head coach.  

 

Milaca had some strong performances and Baird’s girls had a tough time guarding Caitlin Richardson, who scored 14 points and attacked the basket regularly, leading to a lot of Becker fouls.  

 

Milaca’s Ellie Banks hit key three pointers throughout the contest, constantly putting a stop to Becker runs.  Banks led the Wolves with 15 points and was able the knock down shots with girls in her face.   

 

Miranda Broberg added 14 points for the Wolves, who improved to 4-2 on the season.  

 

Last Thursday on the road, the girls thumped the Mustangs with a seven-point win.

 

Becker's captains, Renee Tripp, Claire Thorn  and McKenna Anderson came up huge in this road win.  

 

Tripp led the Bulldogs with 15 points.  She attacked the basket throughout the game keeping Mora on their heels. 

 

Thorn tallied eight points and had key buckets and rebounds as Mora was making its second half run.  

 

Anderson played an excellent all-around game, scoring five points while exuding her positive approach throughout the entire game.  

 

Becker held a 13- point lead at halftime and Anderson’s leadership and ball-handling off pressure allowed Becker to outscore Mora 9-2 in the last few minutes — right after the Mustangs tied the score at 36.  

 

Madi Kerzman, Becker's leading scorer on the season, was held to six points and eight rebounds.  Kerzman was in foul trouble most of the night.  

 

“I'm happy we found a way to win,” said Baird. “Despite not playing our best.  Our captains' leadership helped on a cold Thursday night in Mora.”

 

The Bulldogs  are off over Christmas, then hit the road to play Princeton and Chisago Lakes in the annual Monticello Holiday Tournament Wednesday and Thursday.