Lady Bulldogs Drop Season Opener; Lose to Lady Quarriers, 45-31
The Madison Lady Bulldogs fall in their home/season opener against the Dell Rapids Lady Quarriers, 45-31.
Madison is now 0-1 overall to begin the year. A slow start from both teams in each team’s first game. With less than 15 total points scored in the opening quarter from both teams combined.
Scoring picked up later with each team having a scoring bust in the second half. Madison struck first with a 16-point third quarter after just 11 points in the first half. Dell Rapids held their own during the burst with 12 points in that same quarter. The Lady Quarriers buttoned things down in the final quarter. Scoring 15 points and allowing just four points in the quarter to Madison, which sealed the first win of head coach Nicole Pankonen’s career.
The Lady Quarriers were led in scoring by junior Ellie Olson who finished with 14 points. Olson also led in assists with three. Junior Clara Justice added to the scoring with 10 points, all of which came in the second half and eight in the fourth quarter.
The Lady Bulldogs had a senior-filled starting lineup in this game. Audrey Nelson led the Lady Bulldogs with a 15-point & 10-rebound double-double. Nelson had a tough time finding good looks in this game. The lane stayed mostly clogged knowing she is good at attacking the basket. It remained closed due to some hesitancy from her teammates from the perimeter shooters. Seven of Nelson’s points came from the free throw line, where she was 7-for-12 (58.3%).
Ella Peterrines joined the scoring effort for Madison by getting in double digits with 10 points. Peterrines and Nelson were all but six points for the Lady Bulldogs. Callie McDermott added four points and Cadence Zens had two.
Zens was in foul trouble all night for Madison and forced some different rotations from head coach Maxine Unterbrunner. Which opened up some things for the offense of Dell Rapids.
Next Game
The Lady Bulldogs return to action for a chance at win number one again on Saturday. They’ll play the front end of a doubleheader with Elk Point-Jefferson at the Madison High School Gym. Tipoff is set for 3:30pm and pregame will be at 3:20pm on AM 1390 Dakotas Best.
