Girls get win at home

The Ipswich girls basketball team got back into the win column with their make-up game win over Langford on Monday in the Tiger Den. And their 42-36 victory was indeed a Lake Region Conference affair.

Langford had trailed by 10 points 35-25, thanks to a Katie Bierman basket earlier in the final quarter. But the visitors would begin a full-court pressure defense to narrow that deficit to one possession, believe it or not, at 39-36. But the scoreboard clock was indeed ticking away and the Tigers were able to break down the press and get three late free throws from Bierman to seal the deal.

Ipswich had trailed 12-6 at the first break and narrowly shaved that to a 21-16 deficit at the half. But the Tigers owned the third quarter 12-2 to restore order and then some, establishing a 28-23 lead of their own entering the crucial final quarter.

Bierman would finish with a game-high 24 points and she included one trey. Next would be Quincy Olivier with eight points, followed by Karlie Gohl with five points including a rare four-point play for all but one of her points. She was fouled while making a trey attempt and converted the free throw opportunity. Kaylin Onken had three points and Ashlyn Weig a two-point basket.

Ipswich utilized 16 floor shots that included that pair of treys. They were 8 of 18 in free throws, but made some crucial ones when they were desparately needed.

The Tigers were able to hold Katherine Jensen to 15 points and Montana Marlow also reached double-figures with 10 points. Only three other Lions would score in this Battle of the Big Cats. They were 13-48 in floor shots, featuring four treys and were 6-11 in free throw attempts.

Ipswich had 36 rebounds, led by Bierman with six boards. Langford collected 38, led by Morgan Glines with four. Ipswich sustained 17 turnovers; Langford, 10. The Tigers had 10 steals, led by Olivier with four. (She added six assists.) Langford pirated 15 steals and dished out 13 assists.

The Tiger girls will play Northwestern on the road on Jan. 13. A doubleheader is planned on Tuesday, Jan. 18 vs. North Central in Roscoe.