Lady Bruins swarm Bravettes for 30-14 win

Eva Dahlquist outscored Flathead, scoring 17 points to lead the Capital Lady Bruins to a 30-14 win over the Bravettes Friday night. 

In their first game back from the holiday break, the Bravettes (1-4 overall, 0-1 in Western AA games) struggled to beat the Lady Bruins (3-2, 1-0) full-court press as they were held to four points or less in every quarter. 

With starting senior Sami Dalager out of the game with an ankle injury, the Bravettes used a 6-player rotation and had to go to their bench early with sophomore Grace Gall picking up two quick fouls in the first quarter. 

“Losing Grace made a big impact on some of the stuff we ran offensively, and it changed some of the rotations we like,” Coach Kaylee Fox said. “We lost some size with her and Sami out and didn’t have the advantage inside that we were hoping.” 

While the Bravettes were looking to get the ball inside, the Lady Bruins were hitting their outside shots. They hit five 3-pointers in the game, led by Dahlquist hitting four and Ali Miller hitting the other.  

The Lady Bruins outscored the Bravettes 9-4 in the first quarter with seniors Mattie Thompson and Ava Malmin scoring their only two points of the game.  

In the second quarter, Capital extended their lead to 18-7 and the Bravettes lone points came from a Caitlin Converse score and a foul. In that quarter, the Bravettes went 1-5 from the free throw line.  

Already limited in their rotations, the Bravettes lost Converse in the second half as she was dealing with cramps. She tried everything she could to get back in the game, including drinking mustard on the sidelines. 

“Her calves were cramping up and she told me the mustard works, but I am not so sure about the science on that one,” Fox said. “She couldn’t get the cramps under control, but she should be good to go for tomorrow.” 

Out of the halftime break, the Bravettes switched up their defense, from a 2-3 zone to using man and 1-3-1. They just weren't able to capitalize on offense as Gall scored all seven of the team’s second half points, including their lone 3-pointer on the night.  

Gall led the Bravettes with seven points, as the team only converted four team field goals in the game. 

The Bravettes were able to cut the lead down to 22-14 early in the fourth quarter before Dahlquist hit back-to-back 3-pointers to put the game out of reach. Converse left the game with just under five minutes left in the fourth quarter as the cramps became too severe.  

It was the lowest scoring output of the season for the Bravettes and their first game in 19 days. They will have a quick turnaround tomorrow, as they host Helena at 2 p.m. 

“We had some really good practices over the break where we focused on our offensive execution, but we just have to put the ball in the hole,” Fox said. “We expect a lot of pressure and man defense from Helena tomorrow, so we are just going to run our stuff, get easy looks at the basket and try to put the ball through the hoop.” 

Capital    9    9    4    8    —    30 

Flathead    4    3    4    3    —    14 

 CAPITAL — Eva Dalhquist 6 1-3 17, Jace Lyman 0 0-0 0, Ali Miller 1 1-2 4, Madi Emmert 2 0-0 4, Kate Drynan 0 0-4 0, Kodee Cummings 0 0-0 0, Jaiden Grooms 1 0-0 2, Taylor Zanto 1 1-2 3, Greta Hayman 0 0-2 0. Totals 11 3-13 30.  

FLATHEAD — Teagan Flint 0 0-0 0, Gracie Mae Kilmer 0 0-0 0, Taylor Greene 0 0-4 0, Caitlin Converse 1 1-1 3, Ava Malmin 0 2-2 2, Grace Gall 2 2-6 7, Mattie Thompson 1 0-0 2. Totals 7 5-10 14.   

3-point goals — Capital 5 (Dahlquist 4, Miller) Flathead 1 (Gall). Fouls — Capital 11, Flathead 7. Fouled out — none.  

    Flathead's Mattie Thompson (24) looks to shoot in the second quarter against Helena Capital at Flathead High School on Friday, Jan. 10. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Flathead's Caitlin Converse (13) shoots from the top of the key in the third quarter against Helena Capital at Flathead High School on Friday, Jan. 10. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Flathead's Ava Malmin (21) drives to the basket in the first quarter against Helena Capital at Flathead High School on Friday, Jan. 10. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Flathead's Caitlin Converse (13) drives to the basket in the first quarter against Helena Capital at Flathead High School on Friday, Jan. 10. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Flathead's Grace Gall (23) draws a foul on her way to the basket in the second quarter against Helena Capital at Flathead High School on Friday, Jan. 10. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Flathead's Mattie Thompson (24) looks to shoot in the third quarter against Helena Capital at Flathead High School on Friday, Jan. 10. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider