Bravettes fall to Big Sky in Western AA play-in contest

MISSOULA — Emily Russell scored 12 points and Jenessa Heine pulled down seven rebounds, but it wasn’t enough for the Flathead Bravettes as they fell 62-44 in Friday’s Western AA state play-in girls basketball game to the Missoula Big Sky Eagles.

Big Sky’s Elle Tinkle led all scorers with 22 points.

Big Sky (8-5 league, 11-10 overall) advances to next weekend’s Class AA state tournament in Bozeman.

The Bravettes (3-10, 8-13) struggled with a slow start, falling behind 16-5 after the first period. Big Sky led 27-15 at half and 48-25 after three quarters.

Flathead outscored the Eagles 19-14 in the final frame.

The Bravettes graduate five seniors from the 2011-12 squad. They are Tess Brenneman, Megan Jones, Brittany Earnest, Ashlee O’Dell and Kelsey Davis.

Flathead 5 10 10 19 — 44

Big Sky 16 11 21 14 — 62

FLATHEAD – Emily Russell 4 4-6 12, Brittany Earnest 0 1-2 1, Janessa Heine 2 2-2 6, Tess Brenneman 4 1-2 9, Ashlee O’Dell 2 0-0 4, Malia Ozegovich 0 0-0 0, Cassie Krueger 1 0-0 2, Megan Jones 0 2-2 2, Dani Davis 0 1-2 1, Kelsey Davis 0 3-3 3, Jessika Abbrescia 1 2-2 4. Totals 14 16-21 44.

BIG SKY – Hannah Moreau 2 0-0 4, Kendra Joyce 4 0-2 8, Dani Baker 5 1-1 14, Kristen Daugherty 1 0-0 2, Elle Tinkle 10 2-2 22, Mackensie Freeman 0 0-0 0, Kelsey Donnelly 1 0-0 2, Anna Johnson 1 2-3 4, Jesse Schafer 1 1-2 3, Maddy Shaide 0 3-4 3, Athena Farr 0 0-0 0, Sidney Davis 0 0-0 0. Totals 25 9-14 62.

3-point goals – Flathead 0, Big Sky 3 (Baker 3). Total fouls – Flathead 11, Big Sky 17. Fouled out – Brenneman. Rebounds – Flathead 29 (Heine 7), Big Sky 26 (Joyce 5).