/usr/web/www.marshallindependent.com/wp-content/themes/coreV2/single.php
×

CLASS AA CONSOLATION: TMB cruises past Mesabi East in second half, 65-48

Photo by Tara Brandl TMB’s Evy Dolan goes in for the layup during their Class AA consolation semifinal game against Mesabi East on Thursday at Concordia-St. Paul. The Panthers won 65-48 to advance to the consolation championship today.

ST. PAUL – After a disappointing start to the state tournament Wednesday, the Tracy-Milroy-Balaton girls basketball team did not want a repeat Thursday night as they started Class AA consolation bracket play at Concordia-St. Paul against the Mesabi East Giants. The Panthers entered the game with their normal intense play on defense and quick-paced offense to take an early lead they only relinquished once for a short time on their way to a 65-48 victory.

“We put things in perspective — there are teams dying to be where we are at this point and we have to take this opportunity and roll with it,” said TMB senior Syd Lanoue. “We still have a chance to end our season on a win. Every game is important from here on out.”

“We told ourselves we didn’t have very many games left and we had to give it all we’ve got,” senior Alecia Christian said.

Evelyn Dolan started the scoring out for the Panthers shortly after tip off with back to back buckets. Kaylee Kirk added a field goal and free throw before Dolan added another field goal and the Panthers were off to a 9-2 start.

The Giants battled back with their own eight-point run to pull ahead with 13:22 left in the half. After a jump ball call, Dolan scored a jumper with 12:29 remaining to take back the lead for good.

“We were definitely focused in on their shooting guards,” Lanoue said of the Panther defense. “We wanted to push them away from the basket, get them to go to their non-dominate hand. If they were going to shoot threes, we wanted to make sure we at least contested them.”

The Giants and Panthers traded baskets throughout the rest of the half. With a pair of 3-pointers by Sidney Karbo and Laura Karkle, along with field goals by Dolan and Lanoue, the Panthers had increased their lead before the Giants pulled to within two.

Mesabi East and TMB then traded fouls for the last two minutes of the half and the Panthers were able to build their lead with free throws as TMB entered the locker room with a 27-23 lead.

TMB scored first in the second half as well, but Mesabi East came out aggressive pulling back within two with four points scored on Panther turnovers.

Following a steal by Kirk and assist to Lanoue, as well as a steal by Lanoue and two free throws, the Panthers had the momentum in their favor as time started to tick down on the Giants. Kirk, Dolan and Samantha Edwards led the Panthers offensively with the next 11 points, stretching the lead to nine.

Lanoue continued the scoring for the Panthers with a field goal and free throw, and Karbo sunk a 3-pointer and the lead increased to 49-36.

Dolan would then score nine straight to push the Panthers’ lead to 59-44 with 2:40 left in the game before the Panthers started to run time off the clock, forcing Mesabi East to foul. Kirk hit two free throws for a 61-46 lead before TMB took home the 65-48 victory.

As far as motivating his players, coach Derek Ashbaugh said it wasn’t difficult getting his team up for Thursday’s game.

“It’s really easy because you’re still at the state tournament,” he said. “If you win, you still get a chance to play another day. Motivation wasn’t too difficult.”

Dolan lead the night for the Panthers with 23 points and 19 rebounds. Lanoue each had 13 points and Kirk dished out six assists. For the game, TMB out rebounded the Giants 54-42. The Panthers shot 40 percent in the second half compared to 30 percent in the first.

The Panthers will now face Byron in the consolation championship game today at 2 p.m. at Concordia St. Paul.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.38/week.

Subscribe Today