Tonight the Boys and Girls teams for Minneapolis went on the road to Russell High School to take on the Broncos for the second time this year.

The first game of the night was the girls. The Lady Lions went in to this game hoping to redeem themselves after a 16 point loss at home, where Tiffany Dortland dropped a 17 point first half.

Things looked good for the Lady Lions, as they were able to get out to an early 5 point lead. 7-2 was the score near the end of the 1st quarter, after Tiffany Dortland struck first, and Karisma Vignery answered very quickly with triple. She got another 2 free throw points under her belt, and Zoie Shupe joined in the action with a 2 pointer. First quarter score 7-4, Minneapolis by 3 after Rylan Reeves knocked down a shot with seconds left on the clock for the first quarter.

The second quarter was ruled by Tiffany Dortland, she scored 12 of the points, and assisted in the other 4. Minneapolis failed to knock down a field goal in the 2nd, with all 5 of their points coming from the free throw line. Halftime score: 20-12.

The Lions needed to find a way to shut down Tiffany Dortland and score a few more points themselves. Things looked promising, with Minneapolis knocking down a couple 3’s, and getting some points off steals behind the half court line. They pulled within 4 at one point but didn’t hold on to that margin for long. Dortland continued to rain from beyond the arc, knocking down a pair of 3 pointers in the 3rd.

It was not until 35 points that Bronco points were scored without Tiffany Dortland’s involvement.

In the 4th quarter, the Lions needed an offensive explosion, and a defensive gridlock. Unfortunately, what they got was 6 points, the Broncos continued to find ways to score. Minneapolis eventually fell to the Broncos, 49-31.

Scoring Leaders: Karisma Vignery with 14, Kersti Nelson with 9.

For Russell: Tiffany Dortland with 25, Camille Dortland with 8.

The boys had better memories of their last matchup with Russell, coming out of that game with a 57-41 victory.

They got off to a hot start, with a 6-0 run. Austin Price got the Broncos on the board with a 3 pointer, but the Lions were able to building on the lead. First quarter score was 17-8, with 5 different players getting in on the scoring action.

Russell came out of the gates hot in the second quarter, knocking down back to back 3’s to pull within 5, but Minneapolis was able to re-extend. First half score was 30-21, Minneapolis out in front by 9.

In the second half, the Lions made some good adjustments, and were able to prevent further 3 point damage from the Broncos, limiting them to a single triple in the fourth quarter by Tyler Whipple. Offensively both teams came to play in the second half, but Minneapolis was able to pair good defense, with rebounding, and good shooting to dominate the second half as well. Final score from Russell High School, 67-46, Minneapolis getting their last regular season win of the season.

Scoring leaders: McCullick with 14, Ausherman with 13, Moeckle with 11, and Davidson with 10.

Both teams are back in action next week for Sub State play.

https://soundcloud.com/minneapolis-lions/minneapolis-girls-2-18-19

https://soundcloud.com/minneapolis-lions/minneapolis-boys-2-18-19