Sentinel tips Bravettes with 6-0 closing run

The Flathead Bravettes have made a habit of winning close games this girls basketball season, but Missoula Sentinel turned the tables.

Olivia Huntsinger scored 21 points, including the go-ahead basket with 1:40 left, and Sentinel used a closing 6-0 run to knock off the Bravettes 53-50 Saturday afternoon.

Flathead fell to 11-2 overall and 7-2 in the Western AA in the type of game it usually wins: Five of the Bravettes’ league victories came by six points or fewer, including a 36-32 verdict over Butte Friday.

When Avery Chouinard hit two fourth-quarter threes, putting Flathead up 43-38 early and 48-44 with 3:50 left, it looked like more of the same.

But from the time Clare Converse scored to make it 50-47 with 2:50 left, four solid looks — from Tali Miller, Kennedy Moore, Maddy Moy (a three) and Moore again — didn’t go. Miller’s layup attempt was halfway down and somehow came out.

Kodi Fraser added 13 points for the Spartans (6-7 overall, 4-5 in the Western AA), including two free throws with 2:11 remaining to cut the gap to 50-49. Huntsinger hit two freebies with :08 left and Flathead missed a desperation three from near half court.

Moore and Chouinard scored 12 points each for the Bravettes, who are on the road next Friday (Helena Capital) and Saturday (Helena High). Moy added 10 points.

Sentinel 18 10 10 15 - 53

Flathead 19 7 14 10 - 50

MISSOULA SENTINEL — Brooke Stayner 3 0-0 6, Kodi Fraser 4 4-5 13, Olivia Huntsinger 9 2-2 21, Megan Hamilton 1 0-0 0, Emily McElmurry 2 0-0 5, Kassidy Kirgan 2 0-0 5, Haley Wolsky 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 6-7 53.

FLATHEAD — Clare Converse 3 0-0 7, Kennedy Moore 6 0-0 12, Akilah Kubi 2 0-0 4, AVery Chouinard 4 0-0 12, Maddy Moy 4 0-0 10, Tali Miller 1 0-0 2, Olivia Pate 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 3-4 50.

3-point goals — Sentinel 5 (Huntsinger, Fraser, Hamilton, McElmurry, Kirgan), Flathead 7 (Chouinard 4, Moy 2, Converse). Fouls — Sentinel 7, Flathead 10. Fouled out — none.