Big Sky girls stop Flathead

by The Daily Inter Lake
| March 4, 2011 2:00 AM

MISSOULA - Flathead had a chance.

The Bravettes trailed Missoula Big Sky by just five points at intermission and were down only two heading into the fourth quarter.

But Big Sky opened the final eight minutes with a 11-2 run to pull away for a 57-43 Western AA girls basketball play-in victory Thursday evening.

The wins sends Big Sky (12-9) to the state tournament March 10-12 in Butte.

"We had our chances," Flathead coach Karly Tait said. "For the most part, it was a pretty good game. We played well, we just had a few lapses. The effort was there, for sure."

Elle Tinkle had a double-double for Big Sky with 21 rebounds and 18 points. Kristen Daugherty followed with 12 points and freshman Dani Baker was next with 10, eight coming in the critical fourth quarter.

Tess Brenneman scored 12 points to lead Flathead. She also had a team-high six rebounds.

Sam Thompson added 10 points for FHS.

"Tess hit a couple big 3s in the first half," Tait said.

"Sam Thompson played a pretty good game, so did Emma Andrews."

Andrews finished with six points.

"We just fell a little bit short," Tait said.

"We had to start fouling. They missed their free throws, but they were just getting off with rebounds. Tinkle played well, stepped up and grabbed some crucial offensive rebounds.

"I'm definitely proud of our effort, proud of the improvement we made throughout the season," Tait added. "I'm excited about the future."

Flathead 12 16 8 7 - 43

Big Sky 18 15 5 19 - 57

FLATHEAD - Emma Andrews 3-13 0-1 6, Sam Thompson 5-9 0-0 10, Tess Brenneman 3-14 4-8 12, Cassie Krueger 2-8 0-0 4, Jenessa Heine 2-2 0-0 4, Brittany Earnest 1-2 0-0 3, Ashlee O'Dell 2-4 0-0 4. Totals: 18-52 4-9 43.

BIG SKY - Emily Griffith 0-2 1-2 1, Kristen Daugherty 4-10 0-0 12, Elle Tinkle 6-24 6-10 18, Lauryn Dombrouski 3-9 0-4 6, Danielle Sheridan 3-5 0-3 6, Laura Wemple 2-5 0-0 4, Dani Baker 4-7 1-2 10. Totals: 22-62 8-21 57.

3-point goals - Flathead 3-8 (Brenneman 2, Earnest), Big Sky 5-12 (Daugherty 4, Baker). Totals fouls - Flathead 15, Big Sky 11. Fouled out - none. Rebounds - Flathead 25 (Brenneman 6), Big Sky 33 (Tinkle 21).