GIRLS BASKETBALL: Crusaders storm past Stillwater Christian

Flathead Valley Homeschool took charge in the third quarter to take control of their crosstown rivalry against Stillwater Christian, topping the Cougars 37-32 on Friday at West Valley School.

Lexi Ehlers scored seven points in the quarter and Karissa Williams had six points for the Crusaders as they erased a six-point halftime deficit in no time.

FVHS outscored Stillwater 15-2 in the quarter to take control of the contest and hit enough free throws in the final quarter to hold on to the win.

“Tough loss to a solid FVHS team who wanted the game more,” Stillwater coach Sarah O’Rourke said.

“FVHS made some nice adjustments and in the end we just couldn’t find the net enough. We needed to be more offensive minded.”

The Cougars jumped out to a 10-6 lead in the first quarter behind seven points from Dori Smith. Alissa Venman and Adrianna Lambert each hit a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter to assist in the comeback and Serena Koch hit all six of her free throws but it wasn’t enough to overcome the slow start to the second half.

Williams had a game-high 13 points to lead Flathead Valley and Ehlers and Victoria Hanson each had seven points.

Smith had nine rebounds to go with a team-high seven points for the Cougars. Koch had seven points, seven rebounds and three assists for Stillwater.

Stillwater is back in action at Bonners Ferry, Idaho this afternoon. FVHS plays at Missoula Big Sky JV on Monday.

Stillwater 10 6 2 14 — 32

FVHS 4 6 15 12 — 37

STILLWATER—Serena Koch 7, Adrianna Lambert 3, Dori Smith 7, Alicia Warricks 2, Lulu Neumann 4, Alisa Venman 5, Helen Hashley 4. Totals: 10 10-21 32.

FLATHEAD VLY—Heidi Schneller 4, Naomi Dobson 2, Karissa Williams 13, Lexi Ehlers 7, Pricilla Rajkowski 4, Victoria Hanson 7. Totals: 12 11-22 37.