Madison Basketball Splits With Sioux Falls Christian

The Madison Bulldogs split a basketball doubleheader with Sioux Falls Christian on Friday night, with the girls winning 54-41, and the boys falling to the Chargers 79-69. 

The Madison girls lead almost the entire game enroute to their win over the Chargers. Madison jumped out to a 33-16 lead at halftime, after holding Sioux Falls Christian to just five points in the 2nd quarter. The Chargers pulled back to within 7 points early in the 3rd before the Bulldogs began to pull away again. Madison’s defense held SFC to just 31 percent shooting, while forcing 16 turnovers. Kendra Leighton led the way with 17 points for Madison. Zoey Gerry added 9 points and 12 rebounds. The win snapped a two game losing streak, and put the Bulldogs at a 5-5 record for the season. 

In the boys game, Sioux Falls Christain jumped out to a 25-15 lead after the first quarter and held on down the stretch for the win. The Chargers led by as many as 17 points in the 1st half, thanks in part to 6 of 13 shooting in the half from three point range. Madison closed the lead down to 9 points at the start of the 4th quarter, and got to within 4 points with 2 minutes left. But a 7-0 run by the Chargers over the next minute put the game out of reach for Madison. 

Zach Witte led Sioux Falls Christian with 23 points and 8 rebounds. Cody Brown had 24 points for Madison. Tyler Tappe added 17, while Aspen Dahl came off the bench for 10 points and 5 rebounds. The loss drops Madison to 6-3 on the year. 

Both Bulldog teams are back in action on Tuesday. The boys travel to Chamberlain, with the girls will host the Chamberlain Cubs.