Defense propels Lady Tigers to final game

After a strong defensive showing got the St. Regis Lady Tigers to the final game in the Tiger Tail Tournament, the tables were turned on the Tigers in the championship game. St. Regis committed 19 turnovers as they watched their chances of being champions slip through their hands.

In the first game of the Tiger Tail Tournament Friday at St. Regis, the Lady Tigers' defense wreaked havoc on the Mullan Tigers' offense. St. Regis not only held Mullan to two field goals, but also fueled their offense by creating turnover after turnover. There was no official count of turnovers, but Mullan coach Sherry Leitz said her team committed over 30 turnovers in their 38-13 loss to St. Regis. After the game, St. Regis coach Don Almquist said he was proud of the defensive effort of his team. "Defense is all heart and hard work and they did a great job," he said.

Against Mullan, the Tigers built an early lead and never looked back. "We jumped out on them pretty hard," said St. Regis coach Don Almquist. St. Regis held Mullan to one point in the first quarter and went into the second quarter with a 8-1 lead. St. Regis finally allowed a field goal with 2:10 remaining in the quarter, but outscored Mullan 8-3 in the quarter and had a 16-4 halftime lead.

St. Regis hit their offensive stride in the third quarter, scoring 14 points to Mullan's five. St. Regis added eight more points in the final quarter and only allowed two, winning the game 38-11.

All of St. Regis' players made it onto the scoring sheet against Mullan. Sophomore Heather Pruitt led the way with 13 points. Pruitt also had two assists and nine rebounds. Brianna Managhan led the team in rebounds with 13 and also scored 10 points. Senior Ryanne Burklund had seven points and Morgan Hill, Tyler Cheeseman, Tailor Davis and Lisa Stevens each had two points.

In the championship game against the Lakeside Lady Knights Saturday, the Tigers committed 10 turnovers in the first half, falling behind early in their 34-53 loss. "That was huge. We got behind early and never could catch up," said Almquist.

The Tigers kept pace with the Knights early, and a Burklund basket notched the score at eight, with under 30 seconds to play in the first quarter. But then the turnovers started taking over. The Knights scored three straight points to end the quarter and scored the first 11 points in the second quarter before another basket by Burklund at 3:56 in the second quarter made the score 10-22. The Tigers kept pace with the Knights after their four-and-a-half minute scoreless drought, but still went into halftime trailing 15-30.

The turnover woes continued for the Tigers in the second half. The Tigers' nine turnovers in the second half put an end to any chance of a comeback, and they finished in second place with a 34-53 defeat. "The tables were turned on us," Almquist said about the turnovers.

Despite the loss, Almquist said he was pleased with the start of the season. He said it was common to make mistakes early in the season and the Tigers will remedy their turnover problems as they play more games.

Pruitt led the Tigers in scoring again with 12 points. Davis had nine points and eight boards. Managhan had six points and five steals, and Burklund added five points for the Tigers.

After playing Alberton at home Tuesday, the Tigers will host Superior Thursday at 7 p.m.